This time last year Jacksonville Jaguars running back Jonas Gray was preparing for the NFL Playoffs as a backup for the New England Patriots. While he won’t be making a trip to the playoffs this season, the stakes remain just as high for the 25-year-old running back.
A journeyman on his third team in less than a year, Gray has an opportunity to prove he can be a part of the Jaguars’ future plans when they take on the Houston Texans in this Sunday’s season finale.
Gray joined the Jaguars last month after being signed off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad following T.J. Yeldon’s knee injury. He was active in his first game against the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago, but Denard Robinson played every offensive snap.
In last Sunday’s 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Gray received his first action in a Jaguars uniform and took advantage of his limited opportunities. The third-year running back finished with five carries for 31 yards. He also had a 25-yard carry wiped out by a holding penalty on left guard Zane Beadles.
While Robinson may enter Sunday’s regular season finale with Houston as the starting back, Gray showed enough Sunday to warrant a closer look.
Robinson was effective as a starter last season, rushing for 582 yards on 135 attempts, but has struggled in his two starts this season. He’s rushed for just 61 yards on 20 carries and three fumbles. By now, the Jaguars know what they have in Robinson, a change-of-pace back who is not fit to be a starter.
Yeldon will enter the offseason as the No. 1 running back, but the team will need to look for an upgrade to serve as his primary backup. If Gray can build off of his performance against the Saints and finish strong, it may alleviate some of the need to address the position this offseason.
K.J. Momberg is the Jacksonville Jaguars Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @kjmomberg or add him to your network on Google.
