Jaguars RB James Robinson to miss finale with ankle injury, fall short of undrafted rookie record

Jacksonville Jaguars standout rookie running back James Robinson will come just 35 yards short of breaking an NFL record.

As ESPN's Michael DiRocco explained on Wednesday, Robinson will miss his second straight game and the regular-season finale versus the Indianapolis Colts due to the ankle injury that kept him out of action for last Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears. Thus, the first-year pro out of Illinois State will finish the campaign on 1,070 rushing yards, 34 behind the record for most yards accumulated by an undrafted rookie ball-carrier. 

Dominic Rhodes tallied 1,104 yards with Indianapolis back in 2001. 

Per ESPN stats, Robinson enters Week 17 third in the NFL in rushing behind Derrick Henry (1,777) of the Tennessee Titans and Dalvin Cook (1,557) of the Minnesota Vikings. Cook will miss the final contest of the season because of his father's death. 

Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers (1,062) and David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears (1,001) could both pass Robinson on the league list this coming Sunday. 

Robinson rushed for over 100 yards in four games and also contributed seven scores on the ground, 49 receptions, 344 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs during his debut season. 

The Jaguars, meanwhile, have lost 14 straight after their Week 1 win over the Colts and have already clinched the top spot in the 2021 NFL Draft.