Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten could have diversified role in 2026
Tuten figures to see the valuable perimeter touches vacated by Travis Etienne.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 7: Bhayshul Tuten #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs the ball during an NFL 2025 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Everbank Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Bhayshul Tuten had a promising, albeit unspectacular, rookie campaign. As the backup rusher to Travis Etienne, the 2025 fourth-round pick totaled 83 carries for 307 yards and 7 total touchdowns across 15 regular season games.
His average yards per carry (3. 7) ranked 45th among 55 qualifying running backs. Last month, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Chris Rodriguez Jr.
to help compensate for Etienne’s departure . The former may end up leading the backfield in 2026, but the distribution of snaps and touches should even out a bit, with Tuten and pass-protecting ace LeQuint Allen Jr. entering their second seasons.
Beyond an expected increase in volume, Tuten is also expected to benefit from an evolution in his usage. “You look at what Tut’ showed in terms of getting downhill on it, inside the tackles, that really wasn’t as much on his tape in college,” head coach Liam Coen said at the team’s annual pre-draft media luncheon on Thursday. “I think we can do a better job of giving him some opportunities, a little bit more, that fit his skill set as well in college, get him going in some of those instances, as well in the pass game, in the screen game.