The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without a big piece of their offense against the Green Bay Packers. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne is among the team's inactives for the second week in a row after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 6. Today will mark Etienne's second missed game since the start of the 2022 season, a span that saw Etienne rush for 1,000-yards in back-to-back seasons.
With Etienne out of the lineup, the Jaguars are set to rely on Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson again this week.
"I think it helps a lot. Quarterback, yeah, but just as a team, it helps us because running back is a tough, physical position," Trevor Lawrence said this week. "I think the more guys you can have – and throw D’Ernest [RB D’Ernest Johnson] in that mix, too – the more guys you can have that, one, know what to do, do it the right way, and also can make plays. All three of those guys can do that, they're all a little bit different, like you said. But just the more you can have, you keep guys healthy. You can rotate them, keep them fresh."
Also inactive for the Jaguars are second-round rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith, who is out with an ankle injury and inactive for the second week in a row. He is joined by fellow rookies such as defensive end Myles Cole and offensive linemen Javon Foster. The Jaguars also have veteran offensive lineman and veteran defensive lineman Cole Van Lanen and Esezi Otomewo.
Etienne continues to nurse a hamstring issue that first popped up against the Bears in Week 6. He played just 11 offensive snaps in that contest, then missed Week 7 against New England. Official word on his status won't arrive until the Jaguars post their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but assuming Etienne misses a second consecutive contest, Tank Bigsby will likely get another opportunity to start after going off for 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns last Sunday versus the Patriots.
Etienne (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Etienne worked as a limited participant at practice this week but will end up logging a second straight absence due to the hamstring issue. Tank Bigsby is poised to start versus Green Bay after he ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns last week against New England.
It will be the second straight start for Bigsby after serving as the No. 2 tailback in Jacksonville's first six games of 2024. The 23-year-old excelled in that role prior to Etienne's injury and has 53 carries for 333 yards and four touchdowns across the past four games. He'll likely cede some snaps to D'Ernest Johnson in passing situations, so the game script could dictate how big a workload Bigsby receives given he has just two targets all season.
While serving as a backup to Etienne in the Jaguars' first six games, Bigsby shined in a supporting role, as the second-year back averaged 7.2 yards over his 41 carries during that stretch. He continued to excel while seeing his biggest workload to date in the Jaguars' Week 7 win over the Patriots in London, carrying 26 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns. With Etienne trending toward another absence, Bigsby could be in store for another hefty touch count, though the Jaguars' reluctance to use him on passing downs makes Bigsby somewhat game-script sensitive. If the 2-5 Jaguars were to fall behind early by multiple scores against the 5-2 Packers and make the running game a lesser priority, Bigsby -- who has drawn just two targets all season -- could cede considerable playing time to D'Ernest Johnson.
Tank Bigsby's Potential for Success
The Jaguars' offensive scheme seems to favor Bigsby's skillset. While Etienne is more of a pass-catching back, Bigsby excels as a powerful runner, capable of breaking tackles and gaining yards after contact. This style of play has been particularly effective against the Packers, who have struggled to contain strong running backs.
Bigsby's production in recent weeks suggests that he can carry the load as the lead back. He has consistently averaged over five yards per carry and has found the end zone multiple times. With Etienne sidelined, Bigsby has a prime opportunity to showcase his talent and potentially establish himself as a long-term solution in the Jaguars' backfield.
The Future of the Jaguars' Backfield
The Jaguars' commitment to Etienne is undeniable, but Bigsby's recent success has created an intriguing dynamic. While Etienne has been a consistent producer, Bigsby has consistently outperformed him. This raises questions about the Jaguars' long-term plans at running back. It's possible that the Jaguars could explore a running back by committee approach, utilizing both Etienne and Bigsby's skillsets to maximize the offensive potential. Ultimately, the success of the Jaguars' backfield will depend on the health of both Etienne and Bigsby and how effectively they are able to complement each other.
What's Next for Tank Bigsby?
Tank Bigsby's performance against the Packers could have significant implications for his future in Jacksonville. If he continues his strong play, he could be in line for a larger role in the offense, regardless of Etienne's health. A dominant performance against a tough Packers defense would solidify his place as a key contributor and potentially establish him as a foundational piece of the Jaguars' offensive attack. While it's still too early to determine if Bigsby is a long-term solution at running back for the Jaguars, his performance against the Packers will provide valuable insight into his potential and role on the team moving forward.
