JACKSONVILLE – Travis Étienne Jr.understands the whole subject of “workload”.
But while observers, fans and even Jaguars coaches discuss his running and catching management these days, Etienne is much less concerned.
“I’m at the point where I wanted to be my whole life. Why should I try to hold back now?” said Etienne.
Etienne, the Jaguars’ No. 25 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, now in his second season, joined senior writer John Oehser for this week’s Week 10 O-Zone Podcast . He touched on several topics, including how missing his rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury gave him a perspective he might have otherwise lacked.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted, just knowing that it’s the last step (of his football career) – and understanding that it can be taken away from you,” he said. “Now I understand that I just have to be grateful for every opportunity I get on this field, because ultimately an injury can happen. I’ve been through that.”
Etienne also discussed how he improved from a 1,000-yard 2022 season to a 2023 season in which he is sixth in the NFL in rushing — fourth among backs on teams that haven’t had a pass. Etienne said the key was slight changes to the approach to the line of scrimmage and body positioning early in games.
“To me, it felt like a small thing,” he said. “It was just my steps, like my first step. Instead of being square-shouldered, my shoulders were turned. So it was forcing me to not be able to see the whole field.
“Now it’s easier to see the whole field. I can see gap A, gap B, gap C. I can see the cut, I can see everything. It was just about put the shoulder square and now the defender doesn’t do it. I have no idea where I’m going to go anyway.”
Etienne has totaled 1,125 yards and five touchdowns during the 2022 season, his first season in the NFL. His 583 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in eight games give him 1,238 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
“I improved a lot this year by being a more vertical runner,” Etienne said. “In college, I’m looking for that home run every time, where now I understand that first down is important. I understand that four yards is very important. I feel like I struggled with this for a long time.
“I’m definitely the same guy I used to be. I feel like I just have a better understanding of the scheme. I have a better understanding of the NFL, I understand I’m not going to beat every guy on the key.
“You can watch my high school clips, my college clips, where I could beat anyone. Now it’s about taking advantage and understanding that everyone is fast.”
Listen to the full O-Zone podcast with Etienne below. Click on HERE to see more episodes of the O-Zone podcast.
