Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen provided an update on Wednesday regarding running back Bhayshul Tuten, noting that the second-year playmaker is feeling better after dealing with lingering ankle and foot injuries. However, Tuten’s status for Thursday night’s upcoming contest against the Baltimore Ravens is expected to come down to a game-time decision, according to John Shipley of SI.com.
The 23-year-old running back has faced a challenging start to Week 9 preparations, having been listed as a non-participant on the Jaguars’ first two injury reports of the week, which included a walkthrough on Monday and a closed practice on Tuesday. Despite missing the early portion of the week’s on-field activities, Tuten may be in line to test the ankle and foot during Wednesday’s final session. If he responds well to rehabilitation, manages some limited reps in practice, and successfully clears a pre-game workout early Thursday evening, he could receive the green light to take the field on a short week of preparation.
Should Tuten manage to suit up against Baltimore, fantasy football managers and observers should expect a potentially modified workload. Prior to picking up the ankle and foot injuries, the explosive running back had established a remarkably steady role in Jacksonville’s offensive game plan, handling no fewer than 15 total touches in each of the team’s first seven contests of the 2026 NFL season. That heavy involvement reached a high-water mark most recently in Week 8, when Tuten put up a career-best performance during a dominant 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. In that blowout win, he carried the ball 16 times for 104 yards and a rushing touchdown, while also hauling in both of his targets out of the backfield for an additional 55 yards and another score through the air.
Tuten’s rapid development highlights the progression he has made since entering the league. Signed to a four-year, $5.28 million contract with the Jaguars in June 2025 following his selection in the fourth round of the NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, the 5-foot-9, 206-pound speedster entered the professional ranks possessing elite athletic traits. Known as one of the fastest players at his position with a blistering 4.32-second time in the 40-yard dash, Tuten was initially viewed as an explosive home-run threat who could make opposing defenses pay for poor containment, but one who required seasoning regarding his ball security and passing-down responsibilities.
During his collegiate career, ball security was a notable point of emphasis for evaluators, as Tuten fumbled 10 times across 428 touches in his final two seasons at Virginia Tech. However, he has worked diligently to refine those mechanics and expand his utility as a pass-catcher in Jacksonville’s scheme. That hard work paid off during his rookie campaign, where he caught 10 of 14 targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving contributions have carried over into the 2026 campaign, highlighted by a strong Week 6 performance against the Houston Texans in which he turned 12 carries into 39 yards while catching all four of his targets for 48 yards and two receiving scores.
As the Jaguars prepare to travel for Thursday night’s matchup, they do so against a Baltimore Ravens pass defense and overall defensive unit that traditionally presents a stern test. The Ravens enter the mid-season matchup boasting an opposing quarterback rating against of 85.7, anchoring a unit that requires disciplined execution from opposing skill-position players. If Tuten is ultimately cleared to play, his ability to catch passes out of the backfield—evidenced by his advanced metrics this season, which include an average of 1.85 yards per route run—could serve as a vital safety valve for the Jacksonville offense against Baltimore’s defensive pressure.
If Tuten is unable to overcome the ankle and foot injuries in time for kickoff, or if the coaching staff elects to err on the side of caution given the short turnaround of a Thursday night game, the Jaguars will likely have to lean more heavily on alternative options within their running back rotation. For now, however, the team will monitor his progress through Wednesday’s practice before making an official ruling on his availability ahead of Thursday’s 8:15 PM ET kickoff at Baltimore.
