5:06 PM
James Robinson has a teammate in his corner, and it's probably the most important one.
According to Lawrence, he made it clear to the coaching staff that Robinson needs to be on the field as much as possible. The second-year player is the team's best offensive player, and having him off the field for 16 and 20 consecutive plays hurt the Jags' chances to move the ball and score points.
Lawrence said that he sees the whole picture in his eyes. "James is one of our best players and he's got to be on the field and we addressed it, and I feel like we're in a good spot and the whole team, we're good." I don't even know what happened.
I'm playing the game and things happen on the sideline. I don't like it, but I think James is one of our best players and he needs to be in the game. I think we're all on the same page. We are going to move forward. I want James out there because I know he is a great player.
Robinson was benched for 16 plays after he fumbled against Atlanta. Meyer didn't know how long Robinson was held out of the games and he doesn't micromanage his assistant coaches. He said that the decision on when to play Robinson was up to the running backs coach.
Meyer said you bench yourself. If you lay the ball on the ground and come out for a few plays, it's up to the position coach to put you back in. That's not just James. That's who. You come when the ball goes on the ground.
Carlos Hyde fumbled against the Rams and was back on the field for the next drive, which came after Robinson missed three series because of his fumbled ball. Robinson has rushed for 668 yards and seven scores and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry compared to Hyde's 251 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3.5 yards per carry, and the offense is definitely better with him on the field.
Meyer said after the Falcons game that Robinson's absence was related to the heel and knee injuries he suffered against Seattle. Robinson missed the next game, but he came back the next week and did not have the same burst.
Robinson said earlier this week that going into last Sunday's game he felt the best he had since he got hurt. Robinson was still battling the injuries that he had suffered in the Rams game, and yet the Jags had him on the field for three plays in the final two minutes of a game they were losing.
Meyer said this week that he will be more involved in game-day personnel decisions, especially at running back and receiver.
