Clemson football: Dynamic Etienne ready to roll for the Jaguars

A healthy Travis Etienne is a promising start for the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars.

After a year recovering from a Lisfranc injury, former Clemson football All-American Travis Etienne is healthy and ready to contribute to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.

Etienne was injured in the second preseason game of his rookie season and missed the entire first season with Jaguars.

Coach Doug Pederson indicated Etienne has been medically cleared and is a “full go” for all football activities.

"Etienne has been fully cleared medically to return to all practice activities, head coach Doug Pederson labeling him a “full go” to 92.5 FM in Jacksonville on Monday."

Etienne joked about missing all the drama of Urban Meyer’s catastrophe of a season in 2021 saying it was the perfect time to be injured.

"“Na, na, definitely. That’s just the human element of it, just seeing the results you’re definitely like, ‘Phew, if there was any year to miss, I missed a great one,'” Etienne said."

The Jags are scheduled to kick off their season in Washington against the Commanders on September 11th and if both remain healthy will reunite him with former Clemson teammate Trevor Lawrence.

Jacksonville finished last season 3-14 and in last place in the AFC South, behind the 4-13 Houston Texans.

The dynamic Travis Etienne could be used in a variety of roles for the Jags

Etienne finished his Clemson career as the all-time school leading rusher with 4,952 yards and 70 touchdowns, while catching 102 passess for another 1,155 yards and 8 touchdowns and was the ACC Player of the Year twice.

Lawrence struggled in his first year with the putrid Jaguars, throwing for 3,641 yards on 59.6% completions with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Jacksonville went mostly with defense in the 2022 draft, taking four defensive players in their six picks.

On the offensive side, the team took offensive lineman Luke Fortner from Kentucky (3rd round, 65th overall) and Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (5th round, 154th overall).

It remains to be seen what role Etienne will have in the offense as Meyer had planned to use him as a “slash” type player and move him around to set up mismatches.  With a new coaching staff in place it’ll be interesting to see how the healthy Etienne is utilized come September.

Clemson fans will be especially intrigued to track the Jaguars improvement on offense this season with both Lawrence and Etienne on that unit.