Travis Etienne injury update: Jaguars rookie to miss season with foot sprain

The Jaguars have lost one of their first-round picks for a long time. Running back Travis Etienne will miss the 2021 season.

Etienne suffered an apparent foot injury in Jacksonville’s 23-21 preseason loss against New Orleans. He had just two touches before exiting the game. He did not return and was spotted on crutches and in a walking boot after the contest.

Etienne underwent tests on Tuesday that revealed he would need surgery on his injured foot. As a result, the Jaguars placed him on Injured Reserve. That will officially end his season, as players are only eligible for short-term IR if they are on the 53-man roster.

Lisfranc injuries are notoriously difficult to bounce back from, so it’s no surprise to see the Jaguars shut Etienne down. After all, he was facing a 12-week recovery at a minimum.

Etienne was the second of Jacksonville’s two first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played at Clemson with No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and was a dynamic weapon out of the backfield. He totaled 6,107 scrimmage yards and 70 TDs in four years at Clemson, and the Jaguars were hopeful that he could continue to take pressure off Lawrence at the pro level.

With Etienne out, the Jaguars will turn to James Robinson as the featured back. He was a star for the team in 2020, logging 1,414 scrimmage yards — a record for an undrafted rookie — and 10 total TDs. Carlos Hyde will serve as his primary backup.

Jacksonville will be in good hands with Robinson, but they have to be disappointed that they won’t get to see the 25th overall pick in action. Etienne finishes the preseason with just six yards on three touches.

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