In a crucial moment during the third quarter of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season-opening game against the Miami Dolphins, running back Travis Etienne had the chance to extend his team’s lead to 24-7. With a handoff from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Etienne looked poised to score, but safety Jevon Holland had other plans. With a swift move, Holland knocked the ball out of Etienne’s grasp just before he could reach the end zone. The Dolphins recovered the fumble, turning the tide of the game in their favor as they went on to secure a 20-17 victory over the Jaguars.
Reflecting on the fumble, Lawrence, who had played with Etienne at Clemson, expressed confidence in his teammate’s ability to bounce back. In a press conference on Wednesday, Lawrence praised Etienne’s resilience, stating, “I mean, he’s just the same guy every day. He doesn’t get too high or too low. That’s something I love about him.”
Lawrence continued, “I think he’s going to respond great. He always has. Like you said, shoot, we’ve played together for, this is Year 7, I guess? Year 7 together. So, of course, with both of us, we’ve seen each other both have some plays that we want back. I think we both have a lot of confidence in one another to bounce back and you know what you’re going to get out of him. So, yeah, I’m excited for him.”
Despite the fumble, Etienne put up solid numbers in Week 1, rushing for 44 yards on 12 carries and scoring a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 15 yards. As the Jaguars prepare to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, the coaching staff will have to decide how to allocate running back reps, especially with Tank Bigsby making a strong case for more playing time after his performance against Miami.
It remains to be seen how Etienne will respond to the fumble and how the Jaguars will utilize their running backs in the upcoming game. With Lawrence’s unwavering support and confidence in Etienne’s abilities, fans can expect the young running back to come back stronger and more determined in the games to come.
