Walker Little has finally secured a starting position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This opportunity arose after Cam Robinson was benched and traded, and it may only be temporary.
The Jaguars (2-6) traded Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday to provide them with a replacement for their injured star, Christian Darrisaw.
This move also allows Little to start for the rest of the season. Jacksonville will use the next nine games, starting with Sunday’s matchup against Philadelphia (5-2), to evaluate Little’s performance.
Little, a second-round draft pick from Stanford in 2021, 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.”
Since being drafted by general manager Trent Baalke with the 45th overall pick, Little has played in 48 games and started 18. He has not quite met expectations during his time in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars have tried moving him from left tackle to right tackle and even to guard, looking for the right fit. However, he has only started when filling in for injured teammates. He has 14 starts at left tackle and four at left guard.
“Feel great about him,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “Obviously he’s been here. He’s worn a lot of hats for us. He’s played inside. He’s played outside. He’s played both tackle spots. We got a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Robinson is the second veteran the Jaguars have traded this month, following the trade of defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris to Seattle. Robinson passed the league’s concussion protocol last week but was benched for Little and appeared disconnected from teammates and coaches during a 30-27 loss to Green Bay.
He was traded just two days later.
Now, Little has a chance to become a sought-after free agent in March, whether with Jacksonville or another team.
“It’s a really good opportunity to get to play and get to play multiple games and get to go against really good talent,” Little said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to go out there and perform.”
Pederson expressed sadness about having to part ways with Robertson-Harris and Robinson during the season.
“It’s never easy. I’ve been one of those guys, so I know it’s never easy and now you’re on this side of it and it’s tough,” Pederson said. “And the biggest thing for me, too, is just how much you appreciate what the players have put in and the hard work and whether they were drafted here or not. It’s never easy.”
