The Jacksonville Jaguars want to establish themselves as a run-first offense, but they have struggled to find a capable backup behind starter T.J. Yeldon. They may have finally found an answer this past Sunday.
Denard Robinson started last Sunday’s season finale against the Houston Texans, but it did not take long for Jonas Gray to establish himself as the more effective runner.
The second-year running back out of Notre Dame led the team in rushing with just 23 yards on nine carries, but he did have a 22-yard run called back by a holding penalty. He ran with power and explosiveness the Jaguars have yet to see since Yeldon was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Signed off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad on Dec. 15, Gray did not play in his first game against the Atlanta Falcons. He ran for 31 yards on five carries and had a 25-yard run nullified because of a holding penalty in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints, leading to his increased workload on Sunday.
Finding a capable backup for Yeldon is a priority for the Jaguars this offseason. Robinson should return, but not as the No. 2 running back. In his three starts in place of Yeldon, the former fifth-round pick totaled 70 yards on 25 carries and fumbled four times.
Veteran Toby Gerhart appears unlikely to return next season. Signed in 2014 to be the starter, he struggled to stay healthy and was never productive. He missed 11 games due to ankle and groin injuries and totaled only 370 yards on 121 carries (3.1 YPC).
There is little incentive to bring back Bernard Pierce either. The former Baltimore Ravens tailback finished the season on injured reserve and gained only 11 yards on six carries when healthy. Undrafted Corey Grant could return next season, but he would have to produce on special teams to stick on the roster.
Meanwhile, Gray has shown he can produce in the NFL. As a member of the New England Patriots, he famously rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014, only to be benched the following week.
Gray may not be the long-term solution at backup running back for the Jaguars, and the team will almost certainly still look to add to the position this offseason. But at the very least, the Jags should bring him back to compete in training camp.
