Running Back RouletteGet alerts

Page updated

2026 NFL backfield

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Bhayshul Tuten

Preferred handcuff

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Clear RB2 who owns the short-yardage work

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Bhayshul Tuten’s handcuff breakdown

Week 6 analysis published .

This analysis is over 24 hours old. Confirm current roles and availability before making a move.

The game covered by this analysis has started or finished. This is a record of that window, not a recommendation for the next game.

How the work could change

Facts: no Jacksonville running back appears on the Week 6 London inactive list updated 12:50 UTC Oct 18, so Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ameer Abdullah are all available. A date-only Rotoworld item dated Oct 11 has Rodriguez at two carries for five yards in the Week 5 win over Philadelphia, including a goal-line carry he was stuffed on and fumbled, and says he was all but phased out of the rotation; a companion item from Week 4 calls Tuten the clear lead back and credits Rodriguez with short-yardage work and some red-zone looks. Projection: Rodriguez is the only other early-down back in the room, so he would carry most of the between-the-tackles work if Tuten missed time, with Allen and Abdullah on passing downs.

Tuten is healthy and active in London and is the back to own; nothing in the current reporting threatens his lead role. Rodriguez is usually available on the wire and is a pure contingency: his standalone usage shrank to two carries in Week 5 and his value is tied to short-yardage and red-zone looks plus Tuten missing time. If Tuten went down, expect a split rather than a clean handoff, because LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ameer Abdullah are the passing-down backs and would keep the third-down snaps.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • committee_risk
  • passing_down_split
  • low_standalone_value
  • date_only_evidence

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Jacksonville Jaguars, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Tue, Oct 27, 2:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Jacksonville Jaguars full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Bhayshul TutenPublished starter		Three-down back2025 · Round 4 · Pick 104active
RB2
Chris Rodriguez Jr.Published handcuff		Early-down runner2023 · Round 6 · Pick 193active
RB3
LeQuint Allen Jr.		Receiving back2025 · Round 7 · Pick 236active
RB4
Ameer Abdullah		Receiving back2015 · Round 2 · Pick 54active
Unlisted
J'Mari Taylor		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Bhayshul Tuten

Age 23 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Confirmed as Jacksonville's lead back rather than a co-starter: 17 carries for 73 yards and 2 catches for 18 yards in Week 4 while out-snapping Chris Rodriguez 36-15, with two touchdowns wiped out by holding penalties. He still cedes some short-yardage and passing-down work to Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen.

Scouting assessment saved Tue, Oct 6, 4:00 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 4 · Pick 104

Drafted by JAX; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 6 recorded games include 94 carries and 13 receptions on 14 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Age 27 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Downgraded from co-starter to clear complement: out-snapped 36-15 by Tuten in Week 4, though he kept short-yardage work and scored late. A physical between-the-tackles runner who would absorb heavy carries if Tuten missed time, but he is not a passing-down option.

Scouting assessment saved Tue, Oct 6, 4:00 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Bhayshul Tuten. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 6 · Pick 193

Drafted by WAS; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 6 recorded games include 39 carries and 1 receptions on 2 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Receiving back

LeQuint Allen Jr.

Age 22 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Jacksonville's designated passing-down back: Week 4 reporting has Tuten ceding passing-down and short-yardage work to Allen and Rodriguez. He is a specialist rather than a volume runner, and his snap counts stay small behind a lead back taking 36 snaps, so the weekly floor is thin outside deep PPR formats.

Scouting assessment saved Tue, Oct 6, 4:00 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bhayshul Tuten. The dated board currently prefers Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 7 · Pick 236

Drafted by JAX; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 5 recorded games include 1 carries and 2 receptions on 5 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Receiving back

Ameer Abdullah

Age 33 · 12 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

33-year-old veteran kept for third-down reliability and special teams, especially with Allen banged up. Trustworthy in protection; no longer a candidate for meaningful carries.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bhayshul Tuten. The dated board currently prefers Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2015 · Round 2 · Pick 54

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 6 recorded games include 10 carries and 2 receptions on 3 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

J'Mari Taylor

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bhayshul Tuten. The dated board currently prefers Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

The production behind the names

2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2026 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Bhayshul Tuten
6941351414.7
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
63911745.1
Ameer Abdullah
6102471.1
J'Mari Taylor
—————
LeQuint Allen Jr.
512100.6
Bhayshul Tuten: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 116 touches
Wk 215 touches
Wk 317 touches
Wk 419 touches
Wk 524 touches
Wk 616 touches
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 16 touches
Wk 26 touches
Wk 38 touches
Wk 46 touches
Wk 53 touches
Wk 611 touches
Ameer Abdullah: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 15 touches
Wk 24 touches
Wk 33 touches
Wk 40 touches
Wk 50 touches
Wk 60 touches
LeQuint Allen Jr.: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 5 recorded games in 2026

Wk 20 touches
Wk 32 touches
Wk 40 touches
Wk 50 touches
Wk 61 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

All team backfieldsHandcuff rankingsSunday night stashesMonday night stashesScoring methodology