![Jacksonville Jaguars Running Back Ameer Abdullah (43) runs a drill during the fourth day of NFL Training Camp in shells at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_675,y_153,w_2098,h_1180/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/55/01kzvjeghfe1y84711dr.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars Running Back Ameer Abdullah (43) runs a drill during the fourth day of NFL Training Camp in shells at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
Even after losing Travis Etienne in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars are stacked at running back. Heck, there were questions about their backfield, but the duo of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. is quickly putting them to rest. Even better, the Jags have enviable depth at the position.
Aside from Tuten and Rodriguez, sophomore LeQuint Allen Jr. will also have a prominent role next season. Beyond those three, Jacksonville also has intriguing depth in undrafted free agent J'Mari Taylor, DeeJay Dallas, and Ameer Abdullah.
While Taylor could be the favorite to make the cut if the Jaguars carry four running backs next season, Abdullah is doing his best to give the team's brass a difficult decision.
Ameer Abdullah has stood out in training camp
Ameer Abdullah signed with the Jaguars after the 2026 draft. At the time, he looked like a depth signing because the team had just added J'Mari Taylor. Similarly, DeeJay Dallas re-signed after landing in Jacksonville late in 2025. Moreover, the former Nebraska Cornhusker has only logged more than 300 rushing yards in a season just once since 2018. However, he has quietly become a dark horse candidate to make the 53-man roster.
While Tuten and Rodriguez have stolen the spotlight throughout training camp, Abdullah has also made a strong impression, breaking off long runs in different practices.
When you factor in that the 2016 second-round pick is a good pass-catcher out of the backfield (he's hauled in 138 receptions for 991 yards with five touchdowns dating back to 2021) and can contribute on special teams, he may have a realistic chance of sticking around.
Granted, Taylor may have bigger upside, but Jacksonville could easily stash him on the practice squad, where he could keep honing his skills. Meanwhile, Abdullah can be an immediate contributor, so keeping him around most definitely gives the Jaguars a proven commodity at running back in case they suffer injuries next season.
Ameer Abdullah could stick around with the Jaguars next season
Ameer Abdullah signed a one-year, $1.075 million deal with no money guaranteed, so the Jags could free up space if they release him and later sign him to the practice squad. That said, they aren't truly in need of cap relief, so they could definitely keep him around. This begs the question, what does the veteran running back have to do to make the initial 53-man roster?
For one, Abdullah must keep making plays in the preseason, but another deciding factor would be J'Mari Taylor. More specifically, how ready he is. If he needs another season to develop, he's better off spending his rookie season on the practice squad.
But even if Abdullah is the better option than Taylor, he could be left out of the picture if Jacksonville keeps just three running backs next season, which is a possibility.
In the end, all Ameer Abdullah can do is shine in the preseason. If he does, he'll make it difficult for the Jaguars to leave off the 53-man roster.
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