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Jacksonville Jaguars' Doug Pederson can't confirm trade, explains Walker Little playing time
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' Doug Pederson can't confirm trade, explains Walker Little playing time
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was unable to talk Wednesday about the team reportedly trading left tackle Cam Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings , but he did shed light on what the expected starter — Walker Little — brings to the table after he started and played all snaps against the Green Bay Packers last week.
"Feel great about him. Obviously he's been here, he's worn a lot of hats for us. He's played inside, he's played outside," Pederson said when asked about Little. "He's played both tackle spots. I think after the first little bit of the game, he really settled into some nice things and we got a lot of confidence moving forward."
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Little, drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, started last week against the Packers ahead of Robinson after the latter spent the week in the team's concussion protocol and suffered the injury against the New England Patriots in Week 7.
TRADE GRADE: Grading Jaguars trade of offensive lineman Cam Robinson to Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ezra Cleveland (76) with offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) and offensive tackle Walker Little (72) during a break between drills during the second day of an NFL football training camp practice session Thursday, July 25, 2024 at EverBank StadiumÕs Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Pederson explained that that was part of what went into the decision to bench Robinson in favor of the fourth-year tackle.
"If you remember, he was in the protocol all week and then Walker [Little] took all the plays, all the snaps during the week," said Pederson.
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"So, we felt best for the five offensive linemen and really the eight who were going to dress for that game, [that] once Cam got cleared, that he would go in as the backup tackle.
Robinson did not appear on special teams, either. Typically, Robinson appears on field goal protection plays but was held out completely Sunday.
Pederson said that was part of the plan, too.
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Jaguars have belief in Walker Little as an offensive tackle
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little (72) looks on during day 7 of the Jaguars Training Camp Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the Knight Sports Complex at Episcopal School of Jacksonville. Today marked the first practice in full pads.
Since being drafted, Little has worn multiple hats on offense. He played guard last season when Robinson returned from the suspended list.
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Moving forward, though, Pederson feels that Little is a tackle. When asked if he was a right or left tackle, Pederson said simply "I think he's a tackle."
"I think he's more comfortable out there. I think that the space element of playing tackle is one thing. Guards are, you don't have to necessarily move as far and there's a lot more bodies around you," Pederson explained. "Two, honestly his size, I mean it's good for a guard, but I think it better suits him personally at tackle."
Little has played in 48 games through four years, starting 18 since being drafted. He started 13 games at left tackle while Robinson nursed multiple injuries during the timespan.
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Pederson gives injury updates on Brian Thomas Jr. , Travis Etienne and Gabe Davis
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) warms up with a tennis ball before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars were beat up on Sunday, losing multiple players due to injuries, including starting receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk .
Kirk is set to be placed on injured reserve after Pederson confirmed Monday that the veteran wideout broke his collarbone against the Packers.
Pederson's injury updates:
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Brian Thomas Jr. (ribs): "Wait and see"
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Ronald Darby (hip): "Good, he will be here there."
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Gabe Davis (shoulder): "Day to day"
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Travis Etienne (hamstring): "Should get him back. Looking forward to getting him out there and getting some reps, seeing how he feels."
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Brandon Scherff (knee): "Day to day."
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Ezra Cleveland (ankle): "Day to day. We will see how he is at the end of the week."
Etienne has missed the last two games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
Jaguars open 21-day practice window for fifth-round rookie RB Keilan Robinson
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) catches a punt as cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) looks on during an organized team activity Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Announced Wednesday, the Jaguars opened up fifth-round rookie running back Keilan Robinson's 21-day practice window to be activated off of injured reserve.
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Robinson suffered a toe injury during training camp and hasn't been on the field since.
Pederson said the team is excited to get the rookie back and return specialist back.
"Excited to get him back out there," said Pederson. "It's been, gosh, I think all the way backing July, so it would be good to get him back out there and with his teammates and really just see what he remembers of the playbook and how he can help us, whether it's on offense or special teams."
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Doug Pederson explains Walker Little playing time
