Jaguars Running Back Bhayshul Tuten Listed as Questionable for Thursday Night Football

The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into their Thursday night game against the Baltimore Ravens with uncertainty surrounding the availability of starting running back Bhayshul Tuten. The second-year player, who has been a key component of the team's offense this season, is officially listed as questionable due to foot and ankle injuries sustained during the team's Week 8 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tuten did not participate in any practice sessions throughout the week, a development that head coach Liam Coen addressed during his recent press availability. While Coen noted that Tuten reported feeling better, he confirmed that the running back's status will remain a true game-time decision. The team is expected to evaluate Tuten's condition shortly before kickoff to determine if he is healthy enough to contribute on the field.

The potential absence of Tuten would be a significant loss for the Jaguars. In his most recent outing against the Colts, Tuten delivered a standout performance, recording 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while also contributing two receptions for 55 yards and an additional score. This effort made him the first Jacksonville player since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2007 to achieve 100-plus rushing yards, 50-plus receiving yards, and multiple touchdowns in a single game.

Despite the optimism expressed by the coaching staff, historical data from the current Jaguars regime suggests a challenging outlook for Tuten's participation. According to reports, the team has had 27 instances under head coach Liam Coen where a player failed to practice during the week, and in every one of those cases, the player was ultimately ruled out for the game. However, some analysts point out that Tuten's official questionable designation distinguishes his situation from those previous cases.

Should Tuten be unable to play, the Jaguars are expected to rely on fourth-year veteran Chris Rodriguez Jr. to lead the backfield. Rodriguez has been a consistent contributor this season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and recording three rushing touchdowns on 45 attempts. The team also retains depth options in Ameer Abdullah and LeQuint Allen, though Rodriguez is widely viewed as the primary candidate to step into the starting role.

The Jaguars, who currently lead the AFC South with a 5-2 record, enter the contest as 10-point favorites over the 4-4 Ravens. While the team's offensive strategy may shift depending on Tuten's availability, the coaching staff remains focused on securing a victory in this short-week divisional matchup. The final status of Tuten and other injured starters, including defensive end Travon Walker, will be confirmed when the team releases its official inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game.