JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the season opener, a person familiar with the situation said.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team had not released details of Robinson’s injury. The team confirmed that Robinson sustained an ACL injury, but said coach Doug Marrone would provide more details Monday.
Robinson landed awkwardly on his left knee while making a catch in the first quarter of Sunday’s 29-7 victory at Houston and did not return. Tests revealed a season-ending injury, the person said.
It was a huge loss in a big victory for the Jaguars, who hadn’t won an opener since 2011.
Robinson, who made the Pro Bowl in 2015 following a 1,400-yard, 14-touchdown campaign, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and looking for a long-term deal. He had been hoping to rebound from a disappointing season in which he had 73 passes for 883 yards and six scores.
He was the team’s best offensive player during training camp.
Robinson is the second Jaguars receiver in three days to be lost to injury. Rookie Dede Westbrook, who led the NFL in receiving in the preseason, went on injured reserve Friday with a core muscle injury. A fourth-round draft pick from Oklahoma, Westbrook was a 2016 Heisman Trophy finalist and the Biletnikoff Award winner.
Without them, Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and rookie Keelan Cole will have to do more.
A second-round pick from Penn State in 2014, Robinson has 202 catches for 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns. He missed the final six games of his rookie season with a foot injury, but rebounded with his breakout season in 2015.
It’s unclear whether he will remain in Jacksonville. Although he’s the team’s top passing-game threat and a physical matchup for defenders, Robinson doesn’t have the kind of breakaway speed that many No. 1 receivers possess. Still, he’s been Jacksonville’s go-to guy on third down and in the red zone for each of the past two seasons.
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