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Jaguars Might Turn to a Short-Yardage Back if Their Breakout Runner Can’t Go Thursday
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- Jaguars Might Turn to a Short-Yardage Back if Their Breakout Runner Can’t Go Thursday
Jacksonville's backfield finally had a pecking order after Sunday, with Bhayshul Tuten breaking out against the Colts . Three days later, the Jaguars may have to play without him. Tuten (ankle/foot) did not practice Tuesday, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco , and that could put Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the lead role Thursday night in Baltimore.
Rodriguez has been the short-yardage back all season, with 209 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries. He also showed up on Tuesday's injury report, limited with a hand injury, per ESPN's injury tracker . On a short week, with a three-game lead over Houston in the AFC South, Jacksonville has to sort that out fast.
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Why Chris Rodriguez Jr. could handle a bigger load
Oct 18, 2026; London, ENG; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) carries the ball against Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship (6) during the first half at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The case for Rodriguez is efficiency. He ranks third among running backs in EPA per attempt, according to Next Gen Stats, a number Jaguars On SI's John Shipley pointed to on Tuesday. "If Chris Rodriguez Jr. takes the bellcow role on TNF for an injured Bhayshul Tuten, I think he could impress," Shipley wrote , while noting the short-yardage role adds some noise to the numbers.
He has been more than a goal-line hammer lately. Rodriguez ran 11 times for 55 yards in the London loss to Houston and had a 28-yard run among his 41 yards against Indianapolis, when Tuten earned a 90.7 offensive grade, according to PFF. Tuten still leads the team with 492 rushing yards, and Jacksonville has leaned on explosive runs to build a 5-2 record. Ameer Abdullah, with 16 carries this season, would be the next man up.
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Baltimore's front won't make it easy. Roquan Smith had eight tackles, four defensive stops and a 91.1 grade in the loss to Buffalo, according to PFF, and Nnamdi Madubuike posted a 76.0 run-defense grade. The Ravens are starting rookie Joe Fagnano at quarterback, so a steady run game would let Jacksonville play from ahead and keep pressure off Trevor Lawrence.
Wednesday's practice report will say plenty. If Tuten sits again, Liam Coen's offense likely runs through a back who has been splitting the snaps all year, and the AFC playoff picture gives Jacksonville every reason to protect its breakout back for the second half.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
