Jaguars' Cam Robinson Details Suspension, New Training Camp Role

This year's training camp is a brand-new experience for Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson.

After having to earn his starting job as a rookie, Robinson has entered every other training camp in his career as the incumbent starter. That has changed this year, however, a result of Robinson's four-game suspension due to violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. 

Now, Robinson is taking all of his reps with the second-team as third-year tackle Walker Little prepares for Week 1 with the first-team. It is a foreign situation for Robinson, but not one he is shying from. 

"It's honestly not terrible. We got a plan," Robinson said on Thursday.

"I met with Doug [Pederson], I met with [offensive line coach] Phil [Rauscher] and we got a plan, working on just following those steps and it's a great plan. It's a good plan and just kind of taking it step-by-step and just approaching things the best way we can."

Robinson, a seventh-year veteran, is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Jaguars’ active roster on Monday, Oct. 2, following the team’s Week 4 game vs. Atlanta.

"It was a long time coming. Really nerve-wracking, probably the most nerve-wracking offseason I've had," Robinson said about the verdict on his suspension. "But, I've known about it since January, so it was kind of good to get the verdict and just getting to walk in know what I gotta do, know what I got down the road to get back to where I need to be."

“I hadn’t even started rehabbing yet,” Robinson said. “I was still on crutches. I take full responsibility for it. I just got to be more careful and be more cautious about what I’m putting into my system.”

Robinson has appeared in 75 games during his six-year career after being drafted No. 34 overall in 2017. Last season, Robinson started in 14 games at left tackle, with Little  taking the other five starts. Robinson missed the final five games of the season last year due to a meniscus injury. 

Robinson was in good spirits about his injury on Thursday, noting that it isn't the first time he has dealt with a serious knee injury -- the first came as a torn ACL in 2018.

"I think a lot of help is that I had experience with a knee before," Robinson said.  "Obviously it being my ACL, this time being my MCL. So, the recovery and the rehab process is actually a little bit, not easier, but it's not as strenuous and it's not as hard."

Robinson officially signed a three-year contract extension with the Jaguars last offseason. The deal was first reported on the eve of the NFL Draft last year by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. According to Rapoport, Robinson signed a three-year deal worth a max total of $54 million with $33 million guaranteed.

In Robinson's place during the first month of the season will be Little, who took over at left tackle and started five games after Robinson's injury last year. The Jaguars also drafted Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison with the No. 27 overall pick in April, with the rookie set to start at right tackle.  

"Well, yeah, we understand the situation. We have to prepare both guys [OL Cam Robinson and OL Walker Little], honestly. I would say that if Walker is the guy there, we got to make sure he’s ready to go and get him all the reps," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday. 

"But at the same time, Cam is going to practice and be a part of the football team. Both guys understand their roles and what we’re trying to get accomplished. As a staff, we’ve got to make sure that both of those guys are prepared. Particularly, Walker getting the majority of the snaps to have him ready to go possibly for Week One.”