The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed running back Chris Thompson of Greenville, Florida to a one year contract according to ESPN on Friday. Thompson had spent the last seven seasons with the Washington Redskins.
Since being selected in the fifth round, 154th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Thompson has been used primarily as a reserved running back. He has been behind Alfred Morris, Roy Helu, Matt Jones, Robert Kelley, Samaje Perine, Adrian Peterson, and Derrius Guice on the Redskins depth chart at running back over the last six seasons.
Last year, Thompson was third on the Redskins depth chart at running back, behind Peterson and Guice. He had 37 carries for 138 yards to go along with 42 catches for 378 yards.
Even though Thompson has 15 career touchdowns (10 receiving and five rushing), he did not find the end zone last season. His best game came on September 23, in a 31-15 Redskins loss to the Chicago Bears. Thompson reached a season-high 108 yards (79 yards receiving and 29 yards rushing). It was the only time in 2019 that he reached the century mark in total yards.
Clearly known throughout his career as an impressive third down back, who could be used in the running game and passing game, Thompson’s most sensational game came on September 24, 2017. In a 27-10 Redskins win over the Oakland Raiders, Thompson starred in front of a nationally televised audience in prime time, as he had 150 yards receiving and 38 yards rushing for 188 total yards and one touchdown.
In Jacksonville, Thompson will once again be in a reserved role. He is expected to backup Leonard Fournette. However, it should be noted that Fournette is not all that excited about the rebuilding mode the Jaguars are currently taking. If Jacksonville does decide to trade Fournette, Thompson could finally be a NFL starter at running back.
