Jacksonville’s offense had yet another anemic performance on Sunday, and in addition to the lack of efficacy from the passing game, it couldn’t get much going on the ground either. Running back James Robinson saw just eight carries for 24 yards and after an early fumble (his second lost fumble in the last two games) he was pulled for Carlos Hyde, who saw the bulk of the touches and snaps the rest of the way.
Hyde didn’t find much more success, taking nine carries for 24 yards. Though he did find the end zone, he also had a lost fumble of his own. After the game, coach Urban Meyer said that Robinson — who has been dealing with lingering knee and heel injuries that have limited him in practice — was not at 100% in Sunday’s game.
“He’s still not 100%,” Meyer said. “He’s not practicing during the week. James is as good a guy, a tough a guy, team player as you’ve got, that I’ve ever been around. Your heart bleeds for the guy just because he’s not able to do what he does well. He hasn’t been that way since Seattle. He’s not able to practice, but he wants to play, and he’s still a very good player. You’ve just got to take care of the ball.”
Meyer added that the coaching staff had decided that Robinson at less than 100% was still the best option and that if he wasn’t dealing with injuries, he would have re-entered the game following the fumble. However, Meyer shied away from stating explicitly whether Robinson’s removal from the game was a benching.
“You’d have to ask (running backs coach Bernie Parmalee),” he said. “I don’t get too involved. I don’t micromanage that. I know he’s been dinged up, so I don’t know if he’s back with the tent or what’s going on, but I know there’s injury involved.”
The lack of usage for the best offensive weapon currently available is a bit concerning, but it’s clear that at the very least, the injury seems to be holding Robinson back. Given the way that the passing game is playing, though, the Jags need Robinson back to full health soon if they have any hope of fixing their offensive woes.
