Jaguars Believe Sophomore RB Bhayshul Tuten Ready for Bigger Role

Head coach Liam Coen says Tuten has shown the ability to be a productive runner and pass-catcher in the NFL.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:41pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color in a muted palette representing the Jaguars' confidence in their young running back.A cubist interpretation of a Jaguars running back, reflecting the team's belief in Bhayshul Tuten's potential to step up in a bigger role.Today in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars are confident that second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten is ready to take on a larger role in their offense after the departure of Travis Etienne in free agency. Head coach Liam Coen praised Tuten's skills as a runner and pass-catcher, saying the team will look to get him more involved in the passing game. Coen also highlighted the progress Tuten has made in ball security after some fumbling issues in college.

Why it matters

The Jaguars are betting big on Tuten to replace the production of Etienne, who was a key part of their offense the past four seasons. If Tuten can step up and become a reliable every-down back, it will help ease the loss of Etienne and keep the Jaguars' offense humming.

The details

Tuten flashed big-play ability as a rookie, especially in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills when he had 51 yards on four carries. Coen said the team will look to get Tuten more involved in the passing game, an area where he was productive in college at Virginia Tech. Coen also noted that the team has focused on improving Tuten's ball security after he had some fumbling issues in college.

  • In the 2025 season, Tuten had two fumbles.
  • Tuten had nine fumbles in his last two college seasons at Virginia Tech.

The players

Bhayshul Tuten

A second-year running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars who is expected to take on a larger role in the offense after the departure of Travis Etienne.

Liam Coen

The head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who has expressed confidence in Tuten's ability to be a productive runner and pass-catcher.

Travis Etienne

The former Jaguars running back who left the team in free agency this offseason.

LeQuint Allen

A second-year running back for the Jaguars who will also continue to have a role in the passing game.

Chris Rodriguez

A running back signed by the Jaguars in free agency who played for Liam Coen at Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“You look at what Tu showed in terms of getting downhill, on it inside the tackles, that really wasn't as much on his tape in college. I think we can do a better job of giving him some opportunities a little bit more that fit his skill set as well in college, and get them going in some of those instances as well, in the pass game, in the screen game. And I thought he did a great job.”

— Liam Coen, Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

“I know he had the one fumble against the Colts, but ball security was something that we honed on a lot, and we really tried to work on. And that wasn't just with him, that was with the whole group. But okay, now it's like, 'Year 2, let's go be more creative, hey, now you learn ball security at a premium.' What we're looking for the standard. Now let's go take it to the next level.”

— Liam Coen, Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

“And then LeQuint, I think, showed so much in terms of the toughness, physicality, the care factor, third down runs that he was good at, really good at for us. You know, I know he had 60 catches or so in college, and so that's an area I think we can continue to lean into him as well.”

— Liam Coen, Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

What’s next

The Jaguars will continue to monitor Bhayshul Tuten's progress in training camp and the preseason as he prepares to take on a larger role in the offense.

The takeaway

The Jaguars are confident that Bhayshul Tuten has the skills to replace the production of Travis Etienne and become a reliable every-down back. If Tuten can build on his promising rookie season and continue to improve his ball security, the Jaguars' offense should remain in good hands.