JACKSONVILLE – First, Doug Marrone confirmed the news:
Left tackle Cam Robinson is out for the season.
Marrone, the Jaguars' head coach, immediately thereafter confirmed that the team will promote from within to fill the position vacated by the second-year veteran.
"We have answers here in the building," Marrone said Monday, a day after the Jaguars' 31-20 victory over the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field.
Marrone covered a variety of topics during his next-day press conference Monday, but emphasized that fifth-year veteran Josh Wells will move into the lineup to replace Robinson.
Robinson, a second-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft who has started 17 of 18 games in two NFL seasons, sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the first quarter Sunday. Marrone said he will undergo surgery soon.
"Obviously, Cam's out for the year with a left knee," Marrone said. "It's a shame. He has worked hard. He's a good, young player."
Wells, who originally signed with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent from James Madison immediately following the 2014 NFL Draft, has played in 34 career NFL games. He made all four of his NFL starts last season.
Wells played 63 snaps Sunday, or nearly 89 percent of the Jaguars' offensive plays. The Patriots did not register a sack Sunday.
"A lot of times people will deem people as 'backup players,''' Marrone said. "One thing I've talked to this coaching staff about, and that I've talked to players about – and I say it all the time – is I really don't want anyone on this roster or on this team that's a backup.
"I want everyone to be treated and to prepare just like if they're a starter. I think we've seen that during the year. We saw it last year at times and we saw it the other night: Josh Wells goes in there and he's ready to go."
Marrone said reserve lineman Josh Walker or rookie reserve Will Richardson Jr. can play tackle if injuries necessitate, as can starting center Brandon Linder and starting right guard A.J. Cann.
"All those guys can play out there at tackle," Marrone said. "I feel real comfortable about where we are there. … We're three deep at every position. I want to make sure everyone understands we're not scouring and thinking we need to go out and find some answers."
Also on Monday:
*Marrone lauded the play Sunday of free safety Tashaun Gipson, saying that Gipson covered Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski on 17 to 18 plays. "He did an outstanding job," Marrone said. "It's a job a lot of people in this league have had difficulty doing – covering the tight end. I thought he did an excellent job." …
*Marrone also lauded rookie first-round defensive end Taven Bryan and rookie third-round safety Ronnie Harrison. Bryan played 16 defensive plays Sunday and Harrison played 32 plays after playing 17 against the Giants in Week 1. "Each week, that's what we want to see – which I think is a natural progression," Marrone said.
*Marrone said rookie second-round wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. will continue to get increased playing time; he played 30 snaps Sunday after playing 13 in Week 1. Chark fumbled after his lone reception Sunday, a 13-yard gain. "We have a good mixture of guys [receivers] who are up," Marrone said. "D.J. is a big, tall, strong receiver. Obviously we need better ball security, but it was a great punchout [to force the fumble] and it came out. He'll learn from it and he'll get better. He has talent and when the opportunities present themselves he'll take advantage of it.'" …
*Marrone said running back Leonard Fournette will be day-to-day this week after missing Sunday with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 1. "I was really optimistic last week, and obviously I was wrong," Marrone said. While the offense and quarterback Blake Bortles have been productive in Fournette's four missed games in two seasons, Marrone said: "Let's make sure we understand: Leonard's a very important player for us. He's a guy who changes games. To have the other players pick it up and do a good job is important and that's what they have done.'' …
