D'Ernest

Johnson

Although Travis Etienne (hamstring) remained sidelined, there was no backfield committee this time, as Tank Bigsby out-touched Johnson 20-2. That, frankly, is how it should be. Regardless of Etienne’s Week 9 status, Johnson could be needed for a little more pass-catching work because of the Jags’ injury carnage at wide receiver. It still won’t be enough to create PPR FLEX value.

Etienne was limited in all three practices this week. If he’s unable to go, Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson will share the backfield, with Bigsby having a chance for another big outing if the game script goes in his favor. Etienne’s status may be one we have to monitor up until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff. He is officially listed as questionable.

Because the Jaguars ran the ball 39 times, Johnson’s backup role was still good for a dozen touches. He also served as the passing-down specialist for Jacksonville with Travis Etienne out this week. Johnson has 20 touches over the past two weeks, putting him on the periphery of fantasy relevance if Etienne remains out. He will top out at an RB5 ranking if Etienne can’t suit up next week.

Doug Pederson called Etienne week-to-week shortly after he suffered the hamstring injury in Week 6. Etienne managed to practice this week but never got in a full session. Tank Bigsby will assume the RB1 role in Jacksonville this week. Bigsby has been impressive as the change-of-pace back this year and should see plenty of touches versus the Pats. He sits in the middle of the fantasy RB2 ranks for Week 7. D’Ernest Johnson will serve as the Jags’ top option on passing downs, putting him in RB4 territory. Inactive for the Jags re DE Myles Cole, OL Javon Foster, OL Cole Van Lanen, DT Esezi Otomewo, and DT Maason Smith.

Etienne exited in Sunday’s game against the Bears with the injury and did not return to the field. His absence resulted in Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson splitting the backfield, with Johnson actually out-snapping Bigsby 35-17. Johnson was utilized as the primary pass-catching back with Etienne out, and ran a route on 25 of his snaps while also seeing six carries. Bigsby will profile as a game-script dependent back while Etienne is out, but should see plenty of opportunities in Week 7 against the Patriots.

Travis Etienne left the game early with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. His injury combined with an absurdly negative game script put Johnson on the field for 35 snaps. He only saw one fewer carry than Tank Bigsby. Tank would draw the start if Etienne misses any time, but Johnson is the team’s preferred option on passing downs. Johnson would be a RB5 if Etienne is ruled out for Jacksonville’s Week 7 matchup with the Patriots.

Bigsby only had two carries, but one of them was an impressive fourth down run where he was hit in the backfield but was able to cut out of the arm tackle and gain three yards to pick up the first down. He is not close to challenging Travis Etienne Jr. for carries, but he remains the top backup, even though D’Ernest Johnson saw more garbage time carries on the final drive.

Johnson didn’t see much run on offense during the first half of his debut season in Jacksonville. Things changed in his final nine games as the Jags deployed him on at least 20 percent of their snaps eight times over that stretch. He finished the year with 41 carries for 108 yards and 10 receptions for 140 yards. Johnson will return to compete with Tank Bigsby for backup duties in 2024.

Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Jags in the offseason after falling out of favor in Cleveland last year. He didn’t have much of a role early in the season but took on a notable role on passing downs during the second half of the year. He ended the season with 41 carries for 108 yards plus 10 receptions for another 140 yards. Johnson will head back into free agency looking for another one-year deal as a backup and a special teamer.

Etienne was limited in practice throughout the week. He played through the rib issue in Week 13, so it’s safe to assume he will do so again this time around. Backup running back D’Ernest Johnson was also listed as questionable. He is dealing with a knee issue and was also limited throughout the week. If he can’t go, Etienne should see an uptick in work on passing downs. Barring any setbacks, Etienne will rank as a low-end RB1 for Week 14.