Jacksonville, Fla. – On Monday, RB Ryquell Armstead was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars, after he missed the entire 2020 season due to complications related to COVID-19.
The 24-year-old was placed twice on the reserve/COVID-19 list last season. He spent 19 days on the list the first time, and then he dealt with a groin injury and another illness before going back on the list for a second time. NFL players are placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list if they either test positive for the virus or have come in close contact with someone who has.
Armstead was a Fifth Round pick in 2019 for Jacksonville, and he had rushed for 108 yards on 35 carries as a rookie. He would’ve likely had a larger role with the team last season, due to star RB Leonard Fournette being cut, with some within the organization thinking he could have been even been the starting RB. However, undrafted rookie James Robinson went on to win the starting job, and he had an impressive season as well. Robinson ran for 1,070 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, as well as 49 receptions for 344 yards and three receiving TDs.
In addition, the Jaguars also drafted former Clemson Running Back Travis Etienne Jr. at 25th overall in the First Round of this year’s NFL draft, which made it harder to keep Armstead on the active roster. Etienne is expected to be used as a hybrid threat in Urban Meyer’s offense, meaning he will split time at Running Back and Wide Receiver, likely catching a lot of passes from Quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Jacksonville should be fine at Running Back heading into the 2021 season, with both James Robinson and Travis Etienne as the two lead backs. If both can stay healthy this year, they should make for a nice 1-2 punch combo in a Jaguars offense that should be much improved with the additions made this off-season. Additionally, Carlos Hyde was also signed in free agency this year, and they also have Dare Ogunbowale (brought in from Tampa Bay when there were injuries in the RB room last year) and Devine Ozigbo (another RB who was supposed to be in the mix as the starting RB last year).
