How the Jaguars Veteran Running Back is Proving He Belongs
Entering 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a plethora of running back talent inside their offense. Jacksonville drafted both Bhayshul Tuten, who had a stunning performance in the preseason, and LeQuint Allen Jr. as well as having veterans Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby. Many fans and critics speculated that Etienne was expected to be traded and have a new home this season. However, Jacksonville shocked fans when they traded Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles, with the coaching staff maintaining belief in their veteran back out of Clemson. Etienne’s college teammate and Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence is one of the main supporters for Etienne, helping boost the veteran’s morale to bounce back from a sluggish 2024, where he only had 558 rushing yards. To many fans' delight, Etienne has done just that in 2025, putting up some of his best numbers yet in a return to form for Jacksonville.
Etienne is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, his best since his 2022 rookie season. He is also averaging 70.3 rushing yards per game, the highest of his career to this point. His five rushing touchdowns match his second career best in a single season, and his seven total touchdowns are his second most in a season since his 12 touchdowns in 2023. Currently, Etienne’s 843 rushing yards rank 11th in rushing yards, just behind Christian McCaffrey and just ahead of Breece Hall. These stats are all coming before the results of Jacksonville’s Week 14 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, where Travis Etienne is having a huge week. Etienne racked up another two touchdowns and 70+ rushing yards against Indianapolis, proving that he can show up when the lights are the brightest.
For a player who many critics and fans wrote off heading into 2025, Etienne is proving that Jacksonville’s running back room is all his. Despite Bhayshul Tuten also having a solid rookie season, it is apparent that he has fit into the backup running back role behind Etienne. If anything, the success of Travis Etienne has allowed Tuten and other backs to take notes and learn what makes a solid running back in the NFL. As Jacksonville gets closer to a potential playoff run, it will be important that they keep the running game as hot as possible, especially since Trevor Lawrence can be shaky at times for the passing game.
