James Robinson Injury Report: Jaguars RB Would Be Must-Start Fantasy RB2 If He Plays Sunday
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images. Pictured: Jaguars RB James Robinson
Jaguars running back James Robinson (heel) is officially listed as questionable for their Week 9 matchup against the Bills. If he's active, what can fantasy football managers expect of his production? And what would be the impact if he's ruled out?
I review the latest updates and project what to expect below.
Click the dropdown to expand more details on his injury
James Robinson Injury Report
Latest status (as of Saturday): Robinson is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday then logging a limited one on Friday.
Earlier update (as of Thursday): Robinson suffered an apparent foot injury in the first quarter of the Jaguars' contest versus the Seahawks and did not return, recording five touches for 39 scrimmage yards before exiting the game. His backup, Carlos Hyde, stepped up and tied a season-high nine carries for 32 yards and caught 6-of-8 targets for 40 yards.
On the Monday following the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Robinson had avoided major injury and is considered day-to-day. This is good news long-term for managers, though his Week 9 status remains very much up-in-the-air. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and will have to log at least a limited practice on Friday to give managers any modicum of confidence in his return this week.
Robinson is a former undrafted free agent from Illinois State. He was RB7 in half PPR in his shocking rookie campaign and once again won the role as the Jaguars' workhorse back with 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne Jr. suffering a season-ending Lisfranc fracture in the preseason. Robinson is currently RB13, averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game in half PPR scoring.
Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.
Fantasy Outlook If Active
Robinson remains a must-start RB2 if he is active come Sunday, though it is an absolutely brutal matchup this week: The Bills are the top defense against fantasy running backs and are allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards this year (86.6).
This game currently has a 48.5 point total and 14.5-point spread in favor of Buffalo (check real-time NFL odds here), giving Jacksonville an implied point total of just 17. This would not be a favorable game script for the run game, which could limit Robinson's production.
Fantasy Outlook If Inactive
If Robinson sits — which is the direction he is trending as of writing on Thursday — Hyde would be in line to see the lion's share of the running back touches and should be considered a RB3/flex play. He, too, has been banged up and was limited in practice on Wednesday, listed with a calf injury, but practiced in full on Thursday.
The Jaguars also added Devine Ozigbo off waivers this week for additional running back depth. He played for the team in 2019 and 2020.
Even if Hyde were to see a full workload, however, the matchup is extremely unfavorable for whichever running backs are active.
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