Battling through injury, it has been a tough few weeks for Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson. Week 11 sees Robinson on the Jaguars’ injury report for the third straight week as he battles multiple lower-body injuries. Let’s take a look at the latest news regarding Robinson’s injury status, his season so far, and whether it will be Carlos Hyde who fantasy football managers should turn to if Robinson is out.
James Robinson injury update
Robinson has consistently been on the injury report with a heel injury since Week 9. He was absent from practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 11, his fourth missed practice in those three weeks. However, the concern is now magnified with Robinson also being listed with a knee injury this week in addition to the heel issue.
Robinson returned to practice on Thursday in a limited fashion and remained limited on Friday. He is listed as questionable to enter the weekend. He missed Week 9 with the heel injury, but he played through the pain in Week 10. The question now is whether Robinson can play through the pain again in Week 11. Could the Jaguars consider shutting down their young RB with little more than pride to play for at this point?
James Robinson has generally been a solid fantasy option in 2021
Outside of missing the Buffalo Bills game, Robinson has been crucial for the Jaguars this season. After a slow start to the year in which he had just 22 opportunities, he then excelled between Weeks 3-6. During that stretch, Robinson saw at least 15 rushing attempts and 1 target per game. Those opportunities saw him score an average of 20.3 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats.
Robinson scored at least 17.5 fantasy points in each game during that time. Then, in Week 8, he posted just 4.4 fantasy points after his injury limited him to only 8 offensive snaps. Nevertheless, he rebounded in Week 10 with 16.4 fantasy points, scoring a touchdown and catching 4 passes in the process. When he has been on the field, Robinson has generally been a reliable fantasy option at the RB position.
Is Carlos Hyde the fantasy option to turn to in his absence?
If Robinson cannot play through his injury, then things get difficult. Hyde was also been limited through the first two days of practice this week with a shoulder injury. However, he was a full participant Friday and has no injury designation this week.
When Robinson was absent in Week 9, Hyde had 21 carries, while Dare Ogunbowale had just 1. If Hyde is active and Robinson is not, he becomes an intriguing fantasy option this week.
The Jaguars also have Ogunbowale and Devine Ozigbo on their active roster. Ogunbowale has 5 carries and 3 targets this season. Meanwhile, Ozigbo has yet to have a snap on offense for the Jaguars since returning to the team after opening the season with the Saints.
The Jaguars also have Nathan Cottrell and Jordan Wilkins on their practice squad, who they could elevate for game day if Robinson is inactive or Hyde suffers a setback.