One of many greatest busts in fantasy soccer this season has been Jacksonville Jaguars operating again Travis Etienne. By means of the primary 5 weeks of the season, Etienne was solely the RB26 and has since spent a lot of the final two video games injured. With Tank Bigsby on the rise mixed with Etienne’s struggles, it’s truthful to surprise if the previous first-round choose will nonetheless have a significant function within the offense when he does lastly return.
Travis Etienne harm standing
In accordance with ESPN’s Area Yates, the Jaguars are itemizing operating again Travis Etienne has questionable heading into their Week 8 contest in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Head coach Doug Pederson mentioned on Friday, “Etienne, once more, we’ll nonetheless push him at present. See the place he’s at bodily earlier than we decide. Most likely recreation time with him.”
Etienne injured his hamstring in Week 6 in opposition to the Chicago Bears and was inactive final week when the Jaguars performed the Patriots. He did apply this week, however solely in a restricted capability. Etienne will probably be a participant to watch on Sunday morning as he will probably be a game-time determination earlier than the 1 p.m. slate of video games.
What Travis Etienne harm means for fantasy soccer
The Jaguars offense didn’t miss a beat final week in opposition to the Patriots with out Travis Etienne accessible. The truth is, the Jaguars offense, particularly the run recreation, regarded nearly as good because it has all season. With Tank Bigsby getting many of the carries, the Jaguars rushed for 171 yards. Bigsby had 126 of these to go along with two touchdowns, ending because the week’s RB8 in PPR codecs.
Within the case that Etienne does return, there are questions on how Pederson and the Jaguars offense will handle Etienne and Bigsby. Etienne has been one of many staff’s greatest playmakers over the past two years, however the offense lastly discovered its rhythm within the run recreation with Bigsby within the lineup.
Whereas Bigsby was excellent final week, it’s value noting that he had the advantage of game-script. Towards the Patriots, Jacksonville led many of the recreation which allowed for a balanced method. The Jaguars had been in a position to persist with the run recreation which allowed Bigsby to get extra taking part in time. Towards the Bears the week prior, D’Ernest Johnson acquired a majority of the snaps.
Even when Etienne performs, it’s seemingly that he doesn’t get a full workload and splits time with Bigsby. It wouldn’t be stunning to see Bigsby as the first ball-carrier with Etienne taking part in extra of the Johnson function because the passing-down again. Nevertheless, the Jaguars will probably be taking part in the Packers and it’s definitely doable that the game-script turns into extra pass-happy. That would appear to favor Etienne or Johnson reasonably than a repeat efficiency from Bigsby.
The Packers additionally current a troublesome matchup in opposition to the run. This season, they’ve allowed -0.10 EPA per rush and 4.3 yards per carry which each rank ninth within the NFL. With that mentioned, they’ve allowed the eleventh most yards after contact per try and Bigsby leads the NFL in yards after contact per try by virtually a full yard.
If there’s a Jaguars operating again to play this week, it stays Bigsby even when Etienne does return. Coming off of a hamsting harm, Etienne might not get the workload that he usually would. Moreover, the Jaguars will wish to preserve Bigsby a part of the offense. The important thing for Bigsby would be the Jaguars needing to maintain the sport shut in order that they can run the ball. Nonetheless, he’s no less than value a flex play and brings RB2 upside.
