Tag: Nathan Cottrell

Jaguars sign former USFL RB Matt Colburn, waive/injured RB Nathan Cottrell

Colburn joins the #Jaguars after spending time with the Philadelphia Stars (USFL) earlier this year.

The Jacksonville Jaguars returned to the practice field Sunday, but before doing so, they made a roster move. The team signed running back Matt Colburn and waived/injured Nathan Cottrell.

Colburn initially entered the pro football realm when he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019. Since then, he’s spent time with the New York Guardians (XFL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), and was also with the Philadelphia Stars (USFL) earlier this year. While with the Stars this year, Colburn accumulated 102 carries for 457 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Before his pro career, Colburn played collegiate football at Wake Forest. He finished his career there sixth on their all-time rushing list with 2,528 yards. As a high school player, he played at Dutch Fork High of Irmo, South Carolina where he finished his senior season with 1,705 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Jaguars 2022 training camp preview: Running backs

One of the biggest question marks for the Jags roster is the running back position, where their top-2 players are coming off major injuries.

With training camp just nine days away, it’s time to start previewing every position on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. We started with the quarterback position earlier this week, and now it’s time to move on to another important position on the offense when it comes to scoring: running back.

The Jags currently have six rushers listed on their roster. Their top player at the position, James Robinson, is one of the best players in the league at his position but is coming off a serious injury. As a result, it’s important to know what the Jags have behind him.

Here is a preview of the Jags’ full running backs group as we close in on camp:

Jags activate 9 from practice squad before game vs. Patriots

With several Jags players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, they decided to activate nine practice squad players for Sunday’s game against the Pats, including veteran offensive lineman D.J. Fluker.

With several of their players being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list dating back to last week, the Jacksonville Jaguars went through this week short-handed on players. For that reason, it was almost a certainty that they would have to activate several players from their practice squad despite getting a wave of players back from the list on Friday and Saturday.

They did that Saturday afternoon by activating nine practice squad players for their Week 17 game against the New England Patriots — and that list is as follows:

  • CB Lorenzo Burns
  • DT Doug Costin
  • WR Jeff Cotton Jr.
  • RB Nathan Cottrell
  • OL D.J. Fluker
  • DB Michael Jacquet
  • S Bradley McDougald
  • OL Badara Traore
  • OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms

The Jags’ offensive line in particular is the unit most seem to be concerned about as they will be without starters Cam Robinson, Brandon Linder, and Ben Bartch. Additionally, their third-string guard, Will Richardson, went on injured reserve this week, too.

Thankfully, the Jags have an experienced player in Tyler Shatley (31 career starts) to start in Linder’s place and second-round rookie left tackle Walker Little (one start and 110 offensive snaps) to play in Robinson’s place. However, it appears the team could be eyeing Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms (no career starts) and recent free-agent signing D.J. Fluker (96 career starts) to be their guards this week.

The other notables added from the practice squad who could see significant snaps on offense include receiver Jeff Cotton (replaces Jaydon Mickens) and running back Nathan Cottrell (because James Robinson and Carlos Hyde are on IR). Then on defense, defensive tackle Doug Costin (Dawuane Smoot and Jay Tufele on Reserve/COVID-19) could be that player on defense.

Jags add a trio from practice squad prior to game vs. Jets, place DE/OLB Jordan Smith on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Jags added a pair of offensive players and a defensive player from their practice squad Saturday to help out the roster with a game against the Jets coming up.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made multiple transactions on Saturday leading into their game against the New York Jets by elevating three players from their practice squad. Those three players they elevated were defensive back Brandon Rusnak, receiver Josh Hammond, and running back Nathan Cottrell.

Hammond’s elevation comes after the Jags placed receiver Laviska Shenault on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, so it gives the Jags five receivers heading into Sunday’s game, which is the number they had when Shenault was on the active roster. If he sees the field, Hammond would be active for the first time in his career.

As for Cottrell, Sunday’s game will mark the second consecutive one that he’s been elevated as the Jags placed veteran running back Carlos Hyde (concussion) on the injured reserve this week. Hyde missed last Sunday’s game against Houston, too, after sustaining a concussion Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans when he took a big hit from linebacker Derick Roberson.

However, the Jags did sign running back Ryquell Armstead to the active roster this week, but with him not being as familiar with the playbook yet, Cottrell could be active over him against the Jets. Then again, Cottrell may not have to come on the field for offensive purposes as he only was used on special teams last week.

As for Rusnak, he’s only been active for one game this season, and that game was the Jags’ first of the season against Houston. He saw the field for 18 special teams snaps but didn’t register any stats in the process.

The Jags also announced that rookie defensive end and linebacker Jordan Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The rookie, who was taken in the fourth round of April’s draft has yet to play in a game this season, and that might continue this Sunday.

Once placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, an unvaccinated player must wait 10 days before they can return. However, vaccinated players can return within 48 hours if they register two negative tests that are 24 hours apart.

Jaguars re-sign Nathan Cottrell to the practice squad

Cottrell showed some flashes in the preseason but was initially released from the practice squad ahead of Week 1.

Jacksonville is bringing a familiar face back to the practice squad as the team re-signed running back Nathan Cottrell on Monday. Cottrell didn’t make the final 53-man roster this preseason but was brought back to the practice squad before being released ahead of Week 1.

Originally an undrafted player out of Georgia Tech in 2020, Cottrell started his rookie season on the Jaguars’ practice squad but also saw a couple of stints on the active roster during the season. When active, he saw action as a returner, taking seven returns for 123 yards.

Cottrell had a solid preseason this fall, and with the injury to running back Travis Etienne, some thought he had a chance as a dark-horse roster candidate. Instead, the Jags released him from the practice squad on Sept. 6 to clear space for Duke Johnson, a speedy running back. But Johnson was recently released, and the players have swapped once again, with Cottrell returning to the Jacksonville practice squad.

He is one of two running backs the Jaguars are currently developing on the practice squad in addition to Devine Ozigbo, who also showed some signs of promise in the preseason.

In addition to starter James Robinson, the Jags have two running backs on the active roster in Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale. Hyde has had a solid start to the season as a change of pace back, but Ogunbowale is yet to see his first carry. If Jacksonville looks to change things up at that No. 3 spot, Cottrell could be a candidate.

Jags final injury report for Week 17: D.J. Chark, James Robinson ruled out vs. Colts

The Jags will be without a trio of top contributors on offense against the Colts including D.J. Chark and James Robinson.

As expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be without receiver Collin Johnson (hamstring) and running back James Robinson (ankle) in their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. They also will be without D.J. Chark, who missed the whole week of practice with a shin injury.

Rookie running back Nathan Cottrell was also ruled questionable for Sunday’s game.

Earlier in the week, Doug Marrone indicated that Robinson would likely be ruled out, while Johnson never really had a chance to be active. Both are still dealing with injuries they sustained Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens and could be moved to injured reserve Saturday if the Jags need space for practice squad additions.

Chark’s status was up in the air earlier in the week as he was dealing with the shin injury he sustained late against the Chicago Bears last Saturday. He left the game in the fourth quarter and wasn’t able to return in the process.

With the Jags being down two receivers, they have Laviska Shenault Jr., Keelan Cole, and Chris Conley active on the roster. They will undoubtedly turn to the practice squad to activate others at the position as they have Terry Godwin, Damion Willis, and Josh Hammond available to help. The Jags also have Craig Reynolds and Bruce Miller on the unit to help at running back if needed.

Jags elevate RB Nathan Cottrell, TE Ben Ellefson from practice squad for opener vs. Colts

The Jags decided to call two players up from their practice squad to help them out at the running back and tight end positions.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars down a few players at the running back and tight end positions, the team decided to elevate both rookies Nathan Cottrell and Ben Ellefson to their active/inactive roster. Due to the new NFL rules which allows each team to expand their game day rosters by two, there will be no need for the Jags to make any cuts as a result of both promotions.

These transactions come after the Jags placed running back Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) on injured reserve this week and ruled tight end Tyler Davis out with a knee injury. The Jags will also enter the game without second-year running back Ryquell Armstead, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after final cuts.

Per a Jags spokesperson, the rule in which the Jags utilized to promote both players is explained in Article 33, Section 5 of the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In accordance with Article 33, Section 5 of the 2020 CBA, each club may elevate a maximum of two players each week from its practice squad to its active/inactive List as a 54th or 55th player without the player first terminating his practice squad contract.

Any elevated practice squad player shall automatically revert to the club’s practice squad at 4 p.m. ET on the first business day following such game without being subject to waivers.

A practice squad player may be elevated to a club’s active/inactive list as a 54th or 55th player for a maximum of two regular season or postseason games.

If a Practice Squad player is elevated to a club’s active/inactive List as a 54th or 55th player for any regular season game, the player’s weekly compensation specified in Paragraph 4 of the practice squad player contract will be adjusted to one-seventeenth (1/17th) of the Paragraph 5 minimum salary for players on a club’s active/inactive list with the practice squad player’s number of credited seasons for such game

Both Cottrell and Ellefson joined the Jags as undrafted free-agents after the 2020 draft. Cottrell attended Georgia Tech where he exited with 640 career rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Ellefson, on the other hand, attended North Dakota State where he was able to garner 463 career receiving yards for 16 touchdowns.

Jags officially name 15 to their initial practice squad

The Jags have names 15 players to their practice squad including veteran Mike Glennon and camp standout Terry Godwin.

The Jacksonville Jaguars named their initial 53-man roster Saturday and spent the remainder of the weekend filling their initial practice squad. On Monday they revealed that they had come to terms with 15 players for the unit, leaving just one slot available for their 16-man unit.

Those player’s names are as follows:

  • RB Nathan Cottrell (Georgia Tech)
  • TE Ben Ellefson (North Dakota State)
  • LB Nate Evans (UCF)
  • TE Matt Flanagan (Pittsburgh)
  • LB Joe Giles-Harris (Duke)
  • QB Mike Glennon (North Carolina State)
  • WR Terry Godwin (Georgia)
  • WR Josh Hammond (Florida)
  • CB Amari Henderson (Wake Forest)
  • OL K.C. McDermott (Miami)
  • OL Austen Pleasants (Ohio)
  • WR Trey Quinn (Southern Methodist)
  • DL Caraun Reid (Princeton)
  • OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms (Missouri)
  • P Brandon Wright (Georgia State)

As many fans are aware, there were several rule changes made to the practice squad system this offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement moved the maximum unit number up to 12 players, but that number was increased to 16 when the NFL realized the severity of COVID-19. The league also decided to allow a minimum of six veterans on the unit, giving teams more flexibility during final cuts.

As for their last remaining spot, it was reported that former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones would be joining the unit. He confirmed his signing through his Instagram story feed and tagged Jacksonville as a destination in it. Regardless as to what the holdup is, fans shouldn’t expect him to be on the Jags’ practice squad long as they have four rookie corners on the roster in C.J. Henderson, Josiah Scott, Chris Claybrooks, and Luq Barcoo.

Previewing Jags’ RB group after Leonard Fournette’s departure

The Jags will be proceeding through this season without Leonard Fournette, but love the talent they had behind.

The Leonard Fournette era is officially over in Jacksonville as the Jags waived him Monday morning. After clearing waivers, the former first-round selection joined the Tampa Bay Bucs and will now have the chance to compete for a Super Bowl title with veterans like Tom Brady, Mike Evans, and Rob Gronkowski on the roster.

As for the Jags, Fournette’s departure has left many fans wondering about the running backs who remain on the roster and what they bring to the table. That said, after previewing the running backs before camp, we’ve decided to go back and look at the group for evaluations.

Here is our best guess as to how the depth chart will look come Week 1:

RB1: Devine Ozigbo

The Jags rarely used Divine Ozigbo last season after picking him up before Week 1 of the 2019 season. He only was able to register nine carries for 27 yards but that will change this season as he’s received solid reviews in camp.

It’s unknown who will be the Jags’ true “starting” running back, but it feels as though Ozigbo is the top candidate. He’s arguably had the best camp of any running back on the roster and Doug Marrone recently said he’s one of the running backs on the team who is a three-down rusher. That said, with James Robinson being a rookie and Ryquell Armstead missing various days of practice, the signs point to Ozigbo being atop the depth chart for Week 1.

RB2: James Robinson

Earlier this season, we predicted that James Robinson would make the team, and losing Fournette only helps his case more. Additionally, he’s received great reviews like Ozigbo, and veteran Chris Thompson even went on to say the rookie has the best vision of the running backs group as a whole.

Sure, it would be nice to see Robinson take the field in some preseason but the staff likes what they’ve seen in practice as he brings a nice blend of power and patience in addition to the vision Thompson mentioned. With those traits, one can see why the team is high on him as CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco pointed out this week.

RB3: Ryquell Armstead

Like Ozigbo, Armstead will definitely be getting his share of carries with Fournette gone. That’s a good thing because he was underutilized in 2019, only accumulating 35 carries for 108 yards.

The reason we didn’t put Armstead down as the No. 2 is due to him missing a lot of camp on the Reserve/COVID-19 though he was eventually removed. He’s also missed the last few practices with a non-COVID related illness, which is giving Robinson ample opportunities to continue to impress.

RB1 (third-downs): Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson is the most experienced running back in the locker room and he also has a big chance to make an impact from the backfield. Unfortunately, he’s battled with injuries and only has one career start to his name. For both of those reasons, it seems that it’s unlikely he’ll start and will be utilized more as a third-down rusher.

Thompson’s strength is pass-catching as he will come into 2020 with 1,772 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, much of which came while being paired with offensive coordinator Jay Gruden in Washington. His  presence as a receiver out of the backfield will be key because Fournette was a huge contributor in that department. In fact, in 2019, Fournette had a career year as a receiver, garnering 522 yards through the air — a total good for fifth in the NFL among running backs.

RB4: Nathan Cottrell

Like Robinson, Nathan Cottrell was a part of the Jags’ 2020 undrafted rookie class. Of course, with him coming in at the bottom of our list he hasn’t been nearly as impressive but could be an option for practice squad.

FB1: Bruce Miller

The Jaguars appear to be on the verge of bringing the fullback position back after going through 2019 without one. However, the team seemingly wanted someone with more experience at the position, so they added former San Francisco 49ers fullback, Bruce Miller, on Aug. 15 and waived undrafted rookie Connor Slomka.

Miller hadn’t played since 2015 so it will be interesting to see if the Jags keep him. He was one of the better fullbacks in football before an alleged off-the-field incident where he was accused of assault derailed his career. However, the charges were dropped and the Jags decided to give him another chance.

If the Jags feel he’s close to being the player he was before 2015, he could make the team, but if not — they could go in another direction.

Jags depth chart prediction: Running back

The Jags weren’t able to trade Leonard Fournette this offseason which mean he’ll likely be the guy leading their group of tailbacks in 2020.

With our depth chart predictions for the quarterback position out of the way, it’s time to move on to the running backs.

Here’s how we see things shaking out at what could be the second most important position for the Jags’ offense this regular season:

RB1: Leonard Fournette

This offseason the Jags at least were open to trading Leonard Fournette but we’re now past the draft and he’s still on the roster. Simply put, that means he’s going to be a Jag in 2020 in all likelihood and will also be their top running back.

Fournette will enter 2020 as one of the Jags’ top weapons after accumulating career-highs in rushing yards (1,152) and yards per carry (4.3) in 2019. He only had three touchdowns on the season, however, so hopefully coordinator Jay Gruden can help him find the end-zone more.

RB2: Ryquell Armstead

Just as he was in 2019 during his rookie campaign, Ryquell Armstead could enter 2020 as the Jags No. 2 running back. Unfortunately, he received limited carries (35) and only registered 108 yards on the ground as a result.

Granted his history with injuries, Fournette could benefit from sharing the load with Armstead but it’s unknown if the Jags will reduce his carries and utilize the second-year tailback more. Additionally, Fournette’s future with the team past 2020 is murky so it’s clear Armstead needs more snaps on the field.

RB3: Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson could be the No. 2 behind Fournette just as Armstead could, but I gave the edge to Armstead because Thompson is more of a threat in the passing game with 1,194 career receiving yards. He does know the system better than any running back on the team, however, as he spent several years under Jay Gruden in Washington so he has the edge over Armstead in that regard.

RB4: Devine Ozigbo

The Jags barely used Devine Ozigbo last season after acquiring him off the waiver wire after final cuts. He only registered nine carries for 27 yards and was only active for 10 games. He’ll be fighting to make the roster this year as a bubble player and will be the tailback who has to fend off the new incoming rookies.

RB5: James Robinson

This young undrafted rookie is a sleeper to make the roster in my opinion. He was a player who some scouts felt was a draftable prospect out of Illinois State as he was ultra-productive for the Redbirds, garnering 4,444 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns.

RB6: Tavien Feaster

Tavien Feaster is a Southeastern Conference product from South Carolina, so he’s played against the highest level of competition available. Before that, he spent three years with the Clemson Tigers. He’ll enter his rookie year with 2,002 career rushing yards and 20 touchdowns and could be a practice squad candidate with a good preseason.

RB7: FB Connor Slomka

Connor Slomka is listed as a fullback on the Jags’ site but Gruden hasn’t carried a fullback on his roster in recent years. That said, the Jags might be looking at Slomka more as an H-back. Regardless, he’s a long shot to make the final roster though practice squad is a possibility.

RB8: Nathan Cottrell

Nathan Cottrell was a teammate of sixth-round pick Tyler Davis at Georgia Tech. While there he wasn’t super-productive, garnering only 640 career yards and four touchdowns throughout four seasons. For that reason, it’s hard to see him making the final roster, but again, practice squad could be an option for him like the other undrafted running backs.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

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