JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Walker Little finally has a starting job with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It took Cam Robinson getting benched and traded to get there.
And it might just be a short-term role. The Jaguars (2-6) dealt Robinson to Minnesota on Tuesday, giving the Vikings a fill-in for injured standout Christian Darrisaw and clearing a path for Little to start the rest of the season. Jacksonville will spend the next nine games, beginning with Sunday's game at Philadelphia (5-2), evaluating Little.
The 2021 second-round draft pick out of Stanford is in the final year of his rookie contract. “Obviously it’s tough losing Cam,” Little said Wednesday. “He was a great player, a great leader, a great guy in the O-line room and taught me a lot over my four years here.
But it is the business. I’m happy for him and excited for his opportunity. I’ve got big shoes to fill and I’m excited for the opportunity.
” Little has played in 48 games, with 18 starts, since general manager Trent Baalke selected him with the 45th overall pick that year. He has fallen short of expectations during his Jacksonville tenure. The Jaguars have moved him from left tackle to right tackle and even to guard in hopes of finding him a spot.
But he never cracked the starting lineup expect when filling in for injured teammates. He has started 14 games at left tackle and four at left guard. “Feel great about him,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson.
“Obviously he’s been here. He’s worn a lot .
