Jacksonville Jaguars: Is the power running game in peril?

How will the Jacksonville Jaguars tweak the power running attack due to Leonard Fournette’s hamstring injury?

The Jacksonville Jaguars want to be known as a power running team. Last season, they were the best rushing team in the NFL. How will the injury to Leonard Fournette affect the run game?

Fournette suffered a hamstring injury in New York before halftime. He rushed for 41 yards on nine carries. He sat out the second half.

John Oehser of Jaguars.com reported the following comments by head coach Doug Marrone on Fournette’s injury and status heading into Week 2 against the New England Patriots:

"“We’re just going to treat it during the week,” Marrone said Monday, … “We have a lot of time, and we’ll see where it is … If he’s ready to go, we’ll ease him back in there and see how he feels. A lot of it depends on that, really.”"

Currently, there are two other running backs on the roster. T.J. Yeldon is more of a third-down pass catching back and Corey Grant is a lightning, speed back. The Jaguars need a back that runs between the tackles with authority.

Let’s hope that Fournette will be 100 percent healthy for Week 2. Realistically, his hamstring might affect him throughout the season. Suppose that he cannot play in Week 2 or longer — what will the Jaguars do with the run game?

On Sunday in Week 1, the Jaguars ran the ball 28 times for 137 yards. If you take away Fournette’s yardage of 41, which leaves 96 rushing yards. Remember, Blake Bortles ran for 42 yards and that takes the total down to 54 yards on the ground. Yeldon rushed for 51 yards on 14 carries.

Would the Jaguars make Fournette inactive against the New Patriots? Could Brandon Wilds be promoted in Fournette’s absence? Is there a free agent available to push the pile?

Eddie Lacy is available still, according to Spotrac.com. Physically, Lacy stands 5-11, weighing 250 pounds. Ideally, he would be the short yardage back. He could be an insurance policy against Fournette’s season long, nagging injury.

Expect Jacksonville to make a move well before the end of the week. It will definitely depend upon Fournette.