JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' starting running back likely will play Sunday.
Travis Etienne Jr., the Jaguars' leading rusher who practiced limited this week with a foot injury, is expected to play against the Detroit Lions Sunday. Head Coach Doug Pederson during his last media availability of the week said Etienne is expected to be "good to go."
"I'm optimistic that he'll play," Pederson said Friday as the Jaguars (4-7) prepared to play the Lions (4-7) at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Etienne, the No. 25 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, sustained what Pederson this week called a sprained foot after rushing twice for three yards in a 28-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.
Etienne, who has started the last six games, has rushed for 728 yards and four touchdowns this season. He rushed for 581 yards and four touchdowns on 97 carries from Weeks 5-10, starting the last five games of that stretch.
Etienne missed his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury in his left foot.
Pederson on Friday also discussed the importance of Sunday's game, particularly in the wake of one of the Jaguars' most significant victories in recent memory. The Jaguars have won two of the past three games, and enter Sunday three games behind division-leading Tennessee (7-4) in the AFC South.
They have two games remaining against the Titans – at Tennessee in Week 14 and at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville in Week 18.
"It's critical," Pederson said. "It's to the point now that we have a meaningful game this late in the year. The goal obviously is to go 1-0, as everybody around the league is trying to do."
NOTABLE
- Etienne was listed as questionable on the Friday injury report, as were wide receiver Zay Jones (chest) and safety Andre Cisco (shoulder); all three practiced limited throughout the week. Running back Darrell Henderson Jr., acquired off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams last week, was listed as questionable after not practicing Friday with an illness. Pederson on Friday said Henderson likely will be inactive Sunday if Etienne plays.
