“It’s opportunity for those guys to step up and give us quality snaps,” Coen said, adding that Bigsby did not request a trade. “It really just came down to, after some time of evaluating and just working through some things, probably best to move on, to just give him an opportunity to go and same with us.
“I wish him nothing but the best, and he’s a good dude and just worked out that way. So, really feel confident, obviously, with some of the way that those other guys stepped in, did some good things.”
Etienne, the Jaguars’ starter since early in the 2022 season, earned the starting job in training camp and has impressed coaches with his professional approach – and his fit in Coen’s offensive scheme.
Tuten rushed for 11 yards on three carries against the Panthers, with Allen rushing for seven yards on one carry with a four-yard reception. Tuten is a player the Jaguars believe has potential as an eventual starter – “I’m just excited for the role I have right now, and I’m trying to build on that,” he said – with Allen emerging quickly as perhaps the team’s best third-down back.
“They’re very coachable; they’re sponges and they have the willingness and want-to to get better each and every day,” Etienne said of the rookies.
Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen called Allen’s skills as a pass-blocker “some of the best I’ve seen out of a young guy.”
“He understands protection, and he’s also a tough running back, too,” Allen said, adding of Tuten: “He’s going to be a very special tunning back. We have a good, special group there.”