Twelve carries for 58 yards in preseason scrimmages signal Bhayshul Tuten's early momentum. As of July 23, 2026, Jacksonville’s backfield is in flux because Chris Rodriguez Jr. underwent foot surgery in March and missed every organized team activity (OTA) and the first two weeks of minicamp. The Jaguars will clear Rodriguez by mid‑July, but his delayed return compresses the window to learn the new offensive scheme. This timing matters for fantasy owners and for the coaching staff, who must decide whether to lean on a recovered veteran or ride a hot‑handed rookie in the season opener. With the NFL training camps kicking off this week, the decision will shape both Jacksonville’s on‑field identity and the weekly lineups of millions of fantasy participants.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. missed OTAs and the first two weeks of minicamp after foot surgery in March 2026; he is expected to be cleared by mid‑July, leaving Bhayshul Tuten and other backs to compete for Jacksonville’s starting running‑back role.
Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s March Foot Surgery Delays OTAs
March 2026 brought a surgical procedure on Rodriguez’s right foot, sidelining him from the organized team activities that began on May 31, 2026. He also sat out the first fourteen days of minicamp, which ran from June 12 to June 26, 2026. The expected clearance date of July 15, 2026 gives him roughly a two‑week runway before the regular season opens on September 8, 2026.
That compressed timeline forces Rodriguez to accelerate his conditioning, which historically reduces snap counts for players returning from late‑season injuries. In 2022, a comparable late‑summer return limited a rookie back’s touches by 30 % in the first three games, giving his competitors a statistical edge that can persist throughout the season.
Bhayshul Tuten Posts 12‑Carry, 58‑Yard Spring
In the preseason scrimmages held on June 20 and June 22, 2026, second‑year back Bhayshul Tuten logged 12 carries for 58 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. Coach Liam Coen highlighted the performance during a press conference on June 24, citing Tuten’s grasp of protection schemes as a key factor.
Those early numbers matter because they place Tuten ahead of the typical learning curve for a second‑year player transitioning from college to the NFL. Historically, backs who break the 4.5‑yard threshold in spring drills often secure a larger share of early‑season snaps, as seen with a 2021 rookie who turned a 4.6‑yard spring average into a 650‑yard rookie campaign.
Coach Liam Coen Praises Tuten, Shifts Talent Philosophy
During a recent interview with Peter Schrager, Coen said, “Tuten I thought had a really good spring. You know, Year 1 coming from Virginia Tech, and really was North Carolina Central to Virginia Tech. So, he had a little bit of a learning curve too, with the protections and a lot…”
Coen’s public endorsement signals a strategic pivot from his 2023 decision to start veteran James Conner over a higher‑drafted rookie, a move that drew criticism for favoring name recognition. By championing Tuten’s form, Coen is betting on home‑grown development, which could reshape Jacksonville’s offensive identity into a more run‑heavy scheme that leans on versatile backs rather than marquee signings.
Jaguars’ Running Back Depth: McCoy, Conner, and the Open Spot
Beyond Rodriguez Jr. and Tuten, Jacksonville’s roster features third‑round rookie Jalen McCoy, who signed his contract on July 2, 2026, and veteran James Conner, who was released on July 10, 2026 after a brief stop‑gap tenure.
- Rodriguez Jr.: foot surgery, cleared mid‑July
- Tuten: 12 carries, 58 yards in spring
- McCoy: third‑round pick, signed July 2
- Conner: released July 10
The thin depth beyond the top two backs means the eventual starter will shoulder a heavier workload, a scenario that magnifies the fantasy upside of whoever wins the role. In prior seasons, teams with a clear lead back saw the starter average over 20 carries per game, while the backup lingered below 8, limiting bench value.
Yahoo’s Justin Boone Flags Jacksonville as Top‑10 Sleeper
Yahoo analyst Justin Boone listed Jacksonville’s running‑back slot among the top‑10 sleepers for the 2026 fantasy season. Standard leagues award 1.5 points per reception (PPR), and Boone projects Tuten to generate 75‑90 fantasy points in Week 1 if he earns a starter’s share of the carries.
Early adoption of Tuten in fantasy lineups offers upside with a low draft cost, while waiting on Rodriguez Jr. risks missing out on a potential high‑volume back if his return slips past the projected mid‑July date. This risk‑reward dynamic mirrors the 2020 breakout of a rookie who entered the league after a late‑season injury but vaulted into a top‑5 fantasy RB after a strong Week 3 performance.
League‑Wide RB Battles Mirror Jacksonville’s Dilemma
Similar contests are unfolding with the Miami Dolphins pitting Javon Davis against Jeff Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers weighing Najee Harris against Chuba Hubbard, and the Las Vegas Raiders deciding between Marvin Mims and Jalen Montgomery.
Unlike those matchups, Jacksonville’s incumbent is sidelined by surgery rather than a performance debate, creating a clearer path for a spring‑proving back. This distinction could accelerate Tuten’s integration, as teams without a medically compromised starter often keep the incumbent in a rotational role, diluting the rookie’s opportunity.
Mid‑July Clearance Sets the Pace for Jacksonville’s RB Race
Rodriguez’s projected July 15 return establishes a deadline for the Jaguars’ backfield decisions. If he clears health checks early, Coen may blend his experience with Tuten’s spring momentum, crafting a two‑back system that mirrors the “combo‑back” approach used successfully by the 2021 Rams. Should his recovery lag, Tuten will likely inherit the bulk of the workload, turning him into a high‑upside fantasy asset and a potential breakout star in Jacksonville’s offense. The next two weeks of practices will reveal whether Coen leans on veteran reliability or embraces the developmental trajectory that could reshape the Jaguars’ ground game for years to come.
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