Who Should I Start? Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Brashard Smith

Monday, June 8, 4:14 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) had a procedure on his left foot following an injury earlier in the offseason program, but he's expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, a team source told Ryan O'Halloran of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. Rodriguez, who signed a two-year deal with the team on March 11, has not taken part in any of the team's OTAs and will miss mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 9-11 this week. The 25-year-old is expected to be a full-go for the start of camp. When he rejoins the team, he'll be competing with Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. for a role in Jacksonville's new-look backfield without Travis Etienne Jr. C-Rod played one season at Kentucky when head coach Liam Coen was the Wildcats' offensive coordinator, but will that be enough to give him an advantage for early-down work over Tuten? The former sixth-rounder of the Commanders in 2023 has averaged 4.6 yards per carry as a rusher in his three years in the NFL, and he recorded a career-high 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 13 games (seven starts) in D.C. in 2025. Until we get a better read on the Jags' distribution of RB touches in the summer, Tuten is the better and more explosive RB2 upside selection in upcoming fantasy football drafts.