James Robinson (running back)

This article is about the active running back. For the former wide receiver, see James Robinson (wide receiver).

James Robinson

Robinson with the Jaguars in 2022
No. 26 – New Orleans Saints
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1998-08-09) August 9, 1998 (age 25) Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:	219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Rockford Lutheran (Rockford)
College:	Illinois State (2016–2019)
Undrafted:	2020
Career history
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020–2022) New York Jets (2022) New England Patriots (2023)* New York Giants (2023)* Green Bay Packers (2023) New Orleans Saints (2023–present)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Reserve/futures
Career highlights and awards
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2020) First-team FCS All-American (2019) 3× First-team All-MVFC (2017–2019)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards: 2,264 Rushing average: 4.4 Rushing touchdowns: 18 Receptions: 92 Receiving yards: 615 Receiving touchdowns: 5
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

James Robinson (born August 9, 1998) is an American football running back for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois State and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and was traded to the New York Jets in 2022. In 2020, Robinson broke the National Football League (NFL) record for most scrimmage yards of any undrafted rookie.

Early years

Robinson was born and grew up in Rockford, Illinois. He attended Rockford Lutheran High School, where he played basketball and football. As a senior, he rushed 2,461 yards and 44 touchdowns and was named Class 4A All-State. ^[1] Robinson set IHSA career records with 9,045 rushing yards and 158 rushing touchdowns. ^[2]

College career

Robinson played in nine games as a true freshman in 2016, missing three games due to a calf injury and finishing the season as the Redbirds third-leading rusher with 322 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries. ^[3] He became the team's starting running back as a sophomore and was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) after rushing for 933 yards and 12 touchdowns. ^[4] Robinson rushed for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season and was again named first-team All-MVFC as well as a first-team All-American by Phil Steele, a second-team All-American by STATS and HERO Sports and to the Associated Press's third-team and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. ^{[5] [6] [7]} As a senior, he rushed for 1,899 yards and 18 touchdowns and was a consensus first-team FCS All-American and a first-team All-Conference selection for the third straight season. ^[8] Robinson finished his collegiate career with 4,444 rushing yards, second most in school history. ^[9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	219 lb (99 kg)	29+5⁄8 in (0.75 m)	8+3⁄4 in (0.22 m)	4.64 s	1.61 s	2.71 s	4.19 s	7.03 s	40.0 in (1.02 m)	10 ft 5 in (3.18 m)	24 reps
All values from NFL Combine [10]

Robinson (#30) playing against the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Robinson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2020, shortly after the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft. ^[11] Robinson made the Jaguars' 53-man regular season roster out of training camp and was announced as the team's starting running back several days later. ^{[12] [13]}

Robinson made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded 16 carries for 62 rushing yards and a reception in which he leapt over Colts safety Khari Willis for 28 receiving yards in the 27–20 victory. ^[14] Robinson became the fourth undrafted rookie running back to start week one since 1970, and set the record for most rushing yards for an undrafted rookie in Week 1. He became the first running back from Illinois State to start a game since Aveion Cason in 2006. ^[15] A week later, on September 20, 2020, Robinson tallied 120 all-purpose yards and scored his first career touchdown in a 33–30 loss to the Tennessee Titans. ^[16] In Week 3, against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football , he had 129 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 31–13 loss. ^[17] On October 1, 2020, Robinson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for his performance in September. ^[18] In Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had 22 carries for 119 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with four receptions for 18 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 39–29 loss. ^[19] In Week 10, against the Green Bay Packers, he had 23 carries for 109 rushing yards in the 24–20 loss. ^[20] In Week 12, against the Cleveland Browns, he had 22 carries for 128 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with five receptions for 31 receiving yards in the 27–25 loss. ^[21]

Robinson is the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his rookie season, following Dominic Rhodes, LeGarrette Blount, and Phillip Lindsay. ^[22] He also finished with the record for most scrimmage yards of any rookie free agent in NFL history. ^[23] Robinson was ranked 100th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 list. ^[24]

Against the New York Jets in Week 16 of the 2021 season, Robinson tore his Achilles tendon in the first quarter, ending his season. ^[25] He finished the season with 767 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through 14 games. ^[26]

New York Jets

On October 25, 2022, Robinson was traded to the Jets in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick following an ACL injury to Breece Hall that cut his 2022 season short. ^[27] It came as 2021 first-round pick Travis Etienne replaced him as the starter in Jacksonville. ^{[28] [29] [30]} Robinson only played in four games the rest of the season for the Jets. On the 2022 season, Robinson had 110 carries for 425 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 11 receptions for 51 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. ^[31]

New England Patriots

On March 17, 2023, Robinson signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the New England Patriots. ^[32] He was considered a possible short-yardage replacement for the departing Damien Harris, who had signed with the Buffalo Bills. However, on June 12, Robinson was released by the Patriots. ^[33] It was later reported that the team had concerns about his health and the deal had contingencies should Robinson fail a physical. ^{[34] [35]}

New York Giants

On July 21, 2023, Robinson signed with the New York Giants. ^[36] He was released on August 27, 2023. ^[37]

Green Bay Packers

On October 17, 2023, the Green Bay Packers signed Robinson to their practice squad. ^[38] He was released on November 6. ^[39] He was signed to the practice squad again on November 20, and signed to the active roster two days later. ^{[40] [41]} He was released on November 27. ^[42] He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 29, 2023. ^[43] He was released again on December 5, 2023. ^[44]

New Orleans Saints

On December 13, 2023, the New Orleans Saints signed Robinson to their practice squad. ^[45] Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. ^[46]

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2020	JAX	14	14	240	1,070	4.5	47	7	49	344	7.0	28	3	3	1
2021	JAX	14	13	164	767	4.7	58	8	31	222	7.2	26	0	4	2
2022	JAX	7	5	81	340	4.2	50T	3	9	46	5.1	10	1	1	0
	NYJ	4	0	29	85	2.9	16	0	2	5	2.5	7	1	0	0
2023	GB	1	0	1	2	2.0	2	0	1	-2	-2.0	-2	0	0	0
Career		40	32	515	2,264	4.4	58	18	92	615	6.7	28	5	8	3

References

1. Reinhardt, Randy (February 2, 2016). "Record-setting rusher Robinson picks ISU". The Pantagraph . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
2. Reinhardt, Randy (October 10, 2018). "Illinois State turns to 'closer' Robinson for late yards". The Pantagraph . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
3. Landi, Nick (July 13, 2017). "Robinson looks to stand out, build own legacy". The Vidette . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
4. Taft, Jay (November 29, 2017). "James Robinson, Sean Slattery earn 1st-team MVC honors". Rockford Register Star . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
5. Reinhardt, Randy (August 30, 2019). "ISU star RB James Robinson storms into senior season". The Pantagraph . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
6. "Former Lutheran running back James Robinson named AP All-American". Rock River Times . December 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
7. Leber, Scott (August 7, 2019). "A national spotlight is being cast on Rockford Lutheran graduate James Robinson at Illinois State". MyStateline.com . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
8. Fishbain, Kevin (February 27, 2020). "James Robinson reps Rockford at NFL combine, and other Chicago connections". The Athletic . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
9. Taft, Jay (April 22, 2020). "Why James Robinson should hear his name called at NFL draft". The Journal Standard . Retrieved April 26, 2020.
10. "James Robinson Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
11. "Rockford's James Robinson signs with Jaguars as a priority free agent". WIFR.com . April 25, 2020. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
12. Leber, Scott (September 5, 2020). "Rockford Lutheran graduate James Robinson makes the Jaguars' final 53-man roster". MyStateline.com. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
13. Florio, Mike (September 8, 2020). "Undrafted rookie James Robinson is the starting tailback in Jacksonville". Profootballtalk.com . NBC Sports . Retrieved September 9, 2020.
14. "Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
15. "Illinois St. Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
16. "Jaguars' James Robinson: Scores first career TD". CBSSports.com. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
17. "Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars – September 24th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
18. Gordon, Grant (October 1, 2020). "Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Bills QB Josh Allen among NFL Players of the Month". www.nfl.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
19. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers – October 25th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
20. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
21. "Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – November 29th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
22. "Jaguars RB James Robinson becomes fastest undrafted rookie to top 1,000 yards rushing in NFL history". Bally Sports. Associated Press. December 14, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
23. Sullivan, Tyler (December 14, 2020). "Jaguars' James Robinson makes NFL history for an undrafted rookie, Doug Marrone praises back after Week 14". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
24. "2021 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
25. Reid, John (December 24, 2021). "Jaguars RB James Robinson suffers season-ending torn Achilles injury". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
26. "James Robinson 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
27. Greenberg, Ethan (October 25, 2022). "Jets Trade for RB James Robinson". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
28. Stites, Adam (October 27, 2022). "Travis Etienne: James Robinson 'hid some of the flaws in my game'". Jaguars Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
29. Smits, Garry (October 23, 2022). "Hard to be happy: Travis Etienne said reaching NFL milestones meaningless without a win". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
30. Shipley, John (October 24, 2022). "Jaguars Trade Robinson: 3 Observation As Etienne Takes Over Backfield". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
31. "James Robinson 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
32. "Patriots Sign Three Free Agents". Patriots.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
33. Alper, Josh (June 12, 2023). "Patriots cut James Robinson". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
34. McElroy, Jordy (June 17, 2023). "Is this the reason RB James Robinson was cut by Patriots?". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
35. Reno, Harrison (June 17, 2023). "Did Injury Cause Patriots Release of James Robinson?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
36. Citak, Matt (July 22, 2023). "Giants add running back James Robinson". Giants.com. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
37. Salomone, Dan (August 27, 2023). "Giants make series of transactions ahead of NFL roster deadline". Giants.com. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
38. "Packers sign RB James Robinson, CB Anthony Johnson to practice squad". Packers.com. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
39. "Packers sign RB Ellis Merriweather to practice squad". Packers.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
40. "Packers sign RB Patrick Taylor to active roster". Packers.com. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
41. "Packers sign WR Bo Melton, RB James Robinson to active roster". Packers.com. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
42. "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
43. "Packers sign WR Bo Melton, RB James Robinson to the practice squad". Packers.com. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
44. "Packers claim CB David Long Jr. off waivers from Panthers". Packers.com. December 5, 2023.
45. "New Orleans Saints sign RB James Robinson to practice squad". NewOrleansSaints.com. December 13, 2023.
46. "New Orleans Saints sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

External links

• Illinois State Redbirds bio
• Media related to James Robinson (running back) at Wikimedia Commons