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T.J. Yeldon listed as starting running back for Week 1 game vs. Carolina Panthers

By Daniel Lago

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to lean heavily on their running game in 2015, as evidenced by a somewhat formidable rotation of backs at their disposal.

While the team is expected to use a “committee” approach in the backfield, they still have to list a starter. That honor went to rookie second round pick T.J. Yeldon.

Again, this doesn’t mean too much, but it does further solidify the confidence the coaching staff has in the rookie running back. Despite an underwhelming debut in the third preseason game, Yeldon impressed in training camp and the subsequent practices.

So what might the running back split look like? Well Yeldon will start and get a majority of the carries, somewhere between 15 and 20 seems like a reasonable guess.

That leaves somewhere between 5-10 carries for Denard Robinson. Shoelace is a wild card who could earn more carries if he continues to improve at the same rate he’s shown over his first two seasons. He could carve himself a permanent spot as the third down back, as he’s shown playmaking ability as a receiver out of the backfield.

Outside of the top 2, we’ll probably see Toby Gerhart and and Bernard Pierce for the occasional carry here and there. Gerhart will probably be out there in 2-back sets, but I’d be shocked if he got more than 5 carries or so in a game.

Corey Grant will likely stick with just returning kicks.

Next: Bortles named one of team captains

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