Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 Training Camp Position Battle to Watch

NFL teams have wrapped up their respective organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps, and after a near month-long break, they'll pick things back up near the end of July for training camp.

The first preseason game takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals face off in the Hall of Fame Game. The rest of the preseason's first week will take place from Aug. 13-15, followed by Week 2 on Aug. 20-23, and Week 3 on Aug. 27-29.

But before the preseason gets underway, teams must first report to training camp. The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't announced the exact day they report to camp, but below is their biggest position battle to watch this summer.

Position Battle: RB | Bhayshul Tuten vs. Chris Rodriguez

The Jaguars must think highly of Bhayshul Tuten to let Travis Etienne - a 27-year-old running back with three 1,000-yard seasons in four years under his belt - walk in free agency without putting up a fight to keep him.

Etienne is now in New Orleans, and Tuten appears to be next man up.

The 23-year-old RB averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and totaled 307 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last year, but Jags coaches are confident if he gets starter's touches he will be a difference-maker.

Tuten showed he can be a bell-cow back in college. He rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns in his sophomore season at North Carolina A&T, and another 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Virginia Tech.

It's presumed that Tuten will be Jacksonville's RB1 out of camp, but Chris Rodriguez should make things interesting.

The 26-year-old had a solid three-year stint with the Washington Commanders, and he had a breakout season last year. Rodriguez posted 500 yards rushing and six touchdowns, and he's averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his NFL career.

It's possible the Jags go with a 1A-1B situation to help cutdown on the wear and tear on both of them.

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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 7:12 PM.