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Jacksonville Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen: 'Been ready' for more carries
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- Jacksonville Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen: 'Been ready' for more carries
With Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten out for a few weeks after a hand injury , fellow rookie back LeQuint Allen is ready to take the mantle as the team's primary backup.
Allen has been a consummate pro since being drafted by the Jaguars with their first pick in the seventh round of this year's draft . He didn't change when asked about Tuten's injury and his opportunity upcoming against the Denver Broncos .
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"First and foremost, I'm praying for him to come back. Fast recovery, so he can help the team win," Allen said in the locker room Wednesday.
Allen's role this season has been to be the team's primary pass protector on third downs, standing side by side with Trevor Lawrence in shotgun to defend the fifth-year quarterback . He has done it at a high level, rarely missing a block or opportunity to hit someone.
His opportunities to carry the football have been limited, though, with starter Travis Etienne enjoying a good fifth year in the league and with Tuten as the team's main backup.
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Thus far this season, Allen has 81 rushing yards on just 18 carries and 10 catches for 54 yards. His opportunities to touch the football have been limited, but he's up for the challenge.
"I've been ready. Just being in the meetings and things like that, and practice, just getting reps, when my number's called, [I] gotta be ready. And my number's been called, so I got to be ready," said Allen.
For Allen, the challenge isn't a big deal. He's used to carrying the ball at a high level.
In college at Syracuse, Allen rushed for 2,359 yards and 26 touchdowns (16 in 2024). He caught the ball 119 times for 848 yards and six scores. So, his ability to play the position in more than just a pass-protector role is unquestionable.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen (36) runs a route as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) look this way after an NFL training camp seventh session at the Miller Electric Center, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
To question Allen's ability in an NFL game could be valid. But he has no question about his role. And no one can ever question his work ethic. He shared his thoughts on his season and how the success he's had comes to him.
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"Emphasizing my role on the team, whatever the role is. I go 110%, not just 100%. I'm [going to] take that extra, umph, and just give it my all every time, no matter the circumstance or situation, I'm always giving extra effort," Allen added.
Allen's energy has been unmatched this season. What he's brought to the table in that regard is not seen on the stat sheet, but it correlates to how well he's played this season. Even in an interview on Wednesday, it was easy to see Allen was ready to attack any challenge if needed.
"That's just my demeanor. Who I come from, my parents, the passion they have, just taking their traits into this lovely game of football just helps me out tremendously," Allen explained.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and Lawrence expressed plenty of confidence in Allen to carry the load, with Tuten likely out for the next few weeks. Coen had no hesitation when asked about it on Wednesday.
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"We've obviously trusted LeQuint for a long time since he's got here to help us, whether it was in pass protection, special teams and then when he has gotten carries, he runs violently and is taking care of the football," said Coen.
"So excited about that and fully just anticipate him stepping into that role and being able to execute for us."
Lawrence, who has benefited the most from Allen's play, is excited for Allen's opportunity.
"Obviously, he's been in there for third downs, but just as a runner as well, every time he's got an opportunity with the ball, he's done something with it," said Lawrence. LeQuint's been such a big factor in third down and special teams and all that stuff.
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"But I know he's gonna be ready for the opportunity. I mean, you look at every time he gets the ball, how hard he runs, and some of the four-minute runs last week and the week before. He's doing a great job, so I know he's gonna be prepared and he's gonna take this opportunity to run with it and play well."
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars LeQuint Allen ready for increased workload at RB
