Bhayshul

Tuten

If this is starting to remind you a lot of last offseason’s Jaguars running back scuttlebutt, well, it should. There were no fantasy-trustworthy options for the majority of the offseason before Travis Etienne eventually emerged as the surefire No. 1 back and Tank Bigsby was dispatched to the Eagles. At least this year’s room only has two options instead of three — for now — with Tuten and Chris Rodriguez both potential leaders of a committee. Whoever wins that job has plenty of fantasy juice backed with what looked to be an ascending pass offense in the last 10 weeks of the season.

The Jaguars let Travis Etienne walk in free agency and signed Rodriguez, formerly of the Commanders, to join second-year, oft-injured RB Bhayshul Tuten in the backfield this season. The new details of Rodriguez’s two-year contract — including a $4 million signing bonus — confirm he’ll play a significant role in the Jacksonville backfield. Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley said the team would take a “committee” backfield approach in 2026. “What he’ll be able to do is provide the complementary skill set, in particular when it comes to the inside running, the hidden yards that come with his style of play,” Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said during a recent radio interview. “You know, the tough demeanor. You know, that’s a real thing. And when given a higher workload, it can wear out those that have to stop it from going forward.” An efficient early-down back in Washington, Rodriguez could be in line for lead back duties if Tuten struggles in offseason practices and training camp or deals with injuries once again. Rodriguez had 500 yards and six rushing touchdowns in 2025, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and posting an impressive 59 percent rushing success rate.

It’s the first sniff of free agency buzz we’ve gotten on White, which goes to show you how few teams view him as a top-line back. However, DiRocco believes White could fit in as a great screen-pass catcher and could share the workload with incumbent Bhayshul Tuten. Gainwell could also fit into that role. Overall this is a very encouraging report for Tuten’s fantasy value, as it doesn’t seem like the Jaguars want to put a major obstacle ahead of him on the depth chart.

“The figurative writing was on the wall for Etienne and [Devin] Lloyd in the last month when the Jaguars extended receiver Jakobi Meyers and left tackle Cole Van Lanen to ensure they wouldn’t hit the market,” O’Halloran writes, continuing: “Did the Jaguars choose Meyers/Van Lanen over Etienne/Lloyd? Ultimately, yes.” If Etienne does leave Jacksonville, O’Halloran believes Bhayshul Tuten will be the No. 1 back in 2026 with LeQuint Allen as the “No. 2/third-down back/kick returner.” Etienne isn’t much of a between-the-tackles pounder (see Trevor Lawrence’s red zone rushing role) and is probably a better committee back, but he might have a chance to find his way into a No. 1 role in free agency after a strong 2025 season.

Tuten repeatedly gashed the Bills, but Liam Coen leaned on his passing game, so there wasn’t much work to go around in the backfield. As has been the case all year, he was comfortably behind Travis Etienne in the pecking order for touches. Tuten got frustratingly close to earning a larger role at multiple points as a rookie, but minor injuries or changes in the weekly game-plan prevented him from truly breaking out. He missed two games late in the year with a finger injury and was on the injury report several times early in the year. His rookie season came to a close with 83 carries for 307 yards and five touchdowns. Etienne is a free agent, meaning it’s possible that Tuten can earn significantly more work in his sophomore campaign. The Jags’ free agency plans will determine how excited fantasy managers can get about Tuten next season.

Tuten has missed two weeks after having finger surgery, but looks like he’ll be available for Week 18. The Jaguars could give him a real run if they happen to script the Titans into submission early. If the Titans make a game of it, they’ll probably stick with Travis Etienne for the majority of the game. Tuten still has a little RB3 steam if active, especially given the Jaguars being 13.5-point favorites.

Tuten has been making quick progress in his recovery from the finger injury he suffered in Week 15. The rookie had to undergo surgery and was initially expected to be out until the playoffs. He now appears to be on track for a Week 18 return. Tuten will likely be eased back into the lineup if he is active this week, keeping him off the fantasy radar for the Jags’ regular season finale.

Tuten was limited in practice throughout the week after recently undergoing surgery on his finger. The team downgraded him to out over the weekend. He has a shot at returning in Week 18 to get in some reps before the playoffs. Travis Etienne will see the bulk of the carries versus Indianapolis this week, putting him in the RB1 mix.

It sounds like Tuten may indeed be able to make it back for the end of the regular season after initial reporting said he was unlikely to do so. He got in three limited practices this week and, given the initial reporting, is probably on the pessimistic side of questionable for this one. LeQuint Allen would be the main backup to Travis Etienne if Tuten sits again.

Tuten underwent surgery on his finger after Week 15. At the time, it was reported that he would miss the remainder of the regular season with an eye on a playoff return. A limited status today indicates his recovery is going well. Even if he doesn’t play this week, a Week 18 return is possible. The Jags could use their final regular season game to get him some reps ahead of the postseason. Travis Etienne will continue to dominate touches for Jacksonville until he returns.