Jaguars RB James Robinson: It's 'always been the goal' to return Week 1 from Achilles injury

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson is less than eight months removed from tearing his Achilles tendon in December and hasn't participated in preseason. But his goal is still to make his return in time to play in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders.

"It has always been [my goal] since I got hurt. I mean, the timeline matched up so that was my goal to come back Week 1," Robinson told Jaguar Report on Tuesday. "I mean, obviously, we're still taking stuff slow, got a little bit until the first game. So yeah, just doing what I can and doing what they're letting me do, but I feel pretty good right now."

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters Tuesday that Robinson still hasn't been cleared fully from the injury, although he has been able to participate in practices without full contact. Despite the running back's somewhat limited participation in camp and absence from preseason, Pederson also thinks Week 1 is a realistic goal.

"It's kind of the expectation, the hope, that he can be there at that point, and if not, listen, it's okay," Pederson said. "We're comfortable with the guys behind him, and we'll go with what we have."

Robinson, 24, joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and finished his rookie year with 1,070 rushing yards, 344 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. His 1,414 scrimmage yards that year broke an NFL record for an undrafted rookie.

Last season, Robinson was a surprisingly small part of the Jaguars offense during Urban Meyer's time as head coach, finishing four games with less than 10 touches. He tallied 767 rushing yards with eight touchdowns before suffering his season-ending injury.