Travis Etienne to undergo Lisfranc surgery to repair foot
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Travis Etienne will undergo Lisfranc surgery to repair his foot, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He was placed on the Jaguars injured reserve list on Tuesday, effectively making him ineligible to play in 2021.
Rapoport said it “was a significant tear,” and the injury “necessitated surgery.” The injury happened early in Monday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Etienne is expected to undergo Lisfranc surgery as soon as possible.
Etienne was selected with the 25th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, 24 spots behind his Clemson teammate, and the number-one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. He finished his time with the Tigers as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher with 4,952 yards. But Etienne was more than just a dynamic rusher for Clemson. He would finish his collegiate career with 1,155 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 102 catches. He averaged 11.3 yards per reception for his career and in his senior year averaged 12.3 yards.
Coaches plan for Etienne
Coach Urban Meyer said he planned on using Etienne in the same way he used Percy Harvin at Florida. Harvin was a dual-threat guy who could line up at either wideout position or in the backfield. Coach Meyer had this to say about Etienne following the loss to the Saints.
“He’s shown me great talent,” Meyer said. “We were planning on using him, and I look up and he is limping off of the field. He was out in the open space…I see what everyone else sees, a talented guy who we’ve got to get in space.”
Etienne showed he could line up outside at Clemson just as well as most college receivers. What Myers liked was his big-play ability and how well he could create out in space. But now with him down for the season, Myers will have to wait until next season.
Jaguars at running back
Although Etienne will likely not play this season, things are not all gloom and doom for the Jaguars at running back. Last year’s featured back James Robinson is still healthy and on the roster. Robinson set an NFL record last year with the most yards from scrimmage by an undrafted rookie. It’s uncertain who would have gotten the nod at running back, but Jacksonville would likely have featured both backs. Aside from Robinson, the Jaguars also have veteran running back Carlos Hyde on the roster and last year’s late-season spell back Dare Ogunbowale. The Jaguars may lack the speed with this group, but they should be able to maintain while Travis Etienne is out this season.