JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s natural for there to be lulls in a running game over the course of a long season. That’s what running back Leonard Fournette said the Jacksonville Jaguars are experiencing right now.
The Jaguars have had the NFL’s top rushing offense since Week 5 and it has been the focal point for opposing defenses. Sometimes, the defenses win, and that’s what has been happening the last few weeks, Fournette said.
“When they see most of our success comes from the running game, who wouldn’t want to stop it?” he said.
The Jaguars are averaging 128.5 rushing yards per game in the last four weeks. Fournette has rushed for 169 yards in that span (he missed one game as punishment for violating a team rule) after running for 596 yards in the first seven weeks (he missed a game due to injury).
The rest of the Jaguars’ backs haven’t done much better. Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant have combined for 166 yards on 54 carries.
“Main thing we have to do is stay focused,” Fournette said. “Everybody is game-planning to stop the run game and sometimes it’s hard. We’re trying to get it moving but I have faith in our coaching and our players and I think we’re going to be able to get it done.”
The Jaguars could be getting some help, though, because right tackle Jermey Parnell has practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and it appears he might be able to play against Indianapolis on Sunday. Parnell has missed the last three games with a knee injury.
“Huge [difference with Parnell returning],” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “Huge. ... Parnell is our veteran O-lineman. He’s been there. He’s done that. He’s a strong guy that just has a great attitude and really brings a lot of aggressiveness. I love that guy and we’ve really missed him a lot.”
With Parnell in the lineup the Jaguars led the NFL in rushing yards per game (169.0) and yards per carry (5.0).
