Bhayshul Tuten Leads Jaguars Backfield After Etienne Exit

On Oct. 11, 2026, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten continued his rise as the team's lead option in the backfield after Travis Etienne's departure, with strong early-season production drawing attention from coaches and teammates.

According to Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports reports, Tuten recorded 277 rushing yards on 60 carries through his first four starts, while the Jaguars averaged 117.3 rushing yards per game. His PFF overall grade of 90.3 ranked highest on Jacksonville's offense through Week 4.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence highlighted the team's plan to involve Tuten more after the second-year player became the primary running back option.

"A big part of our game plan is to give him opportunities with the ball," said Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars quarterback.

Lawrence also pointed to Tuten's development after the running back posted between 65 and 73 rushing yards in each of his first four starts. Tuten had 17 carries for 73 yards and two catches for 18 yards in Jacksonville's Week 4 win over Cincinnati, according to cincinnati.com.

"Every week he has gotten better and better, and he has ran it better and better," said Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars quarterback.

Tuten entered the NFL after playing at Virginia Tech, where he earned second-team All-ACC honors twice, according to heavy.com. The Jaguars selected him with the No. 104 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski discussed the team's approach to its rushing attack ahead of the matchup with Philadelphia.

"It kind of goes back to that attacking mentality that we talk about with the run game," said Grant Udinski, Jaguars offensive coordinator.

Tuten's college path included two seasons at North Carolina A&T before transferring to Virginia Tech. At Paulsboro High School in New Jersey, he rushed for 3,768 yards and scored 77 touchdowns, according to heavy.com.

Analyst Dane Brugler highlighted Tuten's athletic background, noting his parents' track achievements and his own speed during his high school career.

"Bhayshul Tuten grew up in a family of track athletes. Father was a sprinter. Mother was a record-breaker in the hurdles. 10.9 100-meter athlete himself in HS. Tuten can goooooo," said Dane Brugler, NFL analyst.

The Jaguars moved Tuten into the RB1 role after Etienne left for the New Orleans Saints during the offseason. He has also caught all seven of his targets for 54 receiving yards this season, according to Yahoo Sports.