The three-time Pro Bowl running back rushed for 156 yards, the second-highest mark of his career and the highest mark of the week, on a career-high 29 carries and two rushing touchdowns. He also added 30 receiving yards and helped the Detroit Lions hang on for a 31-30 overtime win over the Saints. But there was another running back in the AFC who deserves more attention: Bhayshul Tuten.
The Jacksonville Jaguars back finished with 66 yards on 15 carries, along with 22 receiving yards on one catch. Those numbers are nowhere close to Gibbs, but there's a surprising stat that makes his Week 1 performance just as impressive. According to Pro Football Focus, Tuten tied Gibbs with seven missed tackles forced on rush attempts, ahead of names like Omarion Hampton (six) and Saquon Barkley (six).
More news: Rams HC Sean McVay Admits Costly Mistake With Myles Garrett Tuten was one of the hottest breakout picks heading into this season, with Travis Etienne Jr. now in New Orleans and Jacksonville bringing in no one new to replace him. That's a clear signal the coaching staff believes in what they have, and Tuten was pegged as the most explosive weapon in the backfield. In his 2025 rookie season, he rushed for 307 yards and five touchdowns on 83 carries, along with 79 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Those stats won't blow you away, but he also only saw one game with more than eight carries and played second fiddle for most of the year behind Etienne. Tuten, a 5-foot-9, 210-pound back out of Virginia Tech, ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and rushed for 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season with the Hokies. Now, he's clearly been given the reins in Jacksonville, with Chris Rodriguez emerging in a complementary role, finishing with just 23 rushing yards on six carries.
More news: Michael Irvin Sounds Off on Cowboys After Brutal Loss to Giants More news: Raiders Drop Big Update on Brock Bowers Ahead of Week 2 Tuten may not have finished with a stat line anywhere near Gibbs', but their teams were also in very different situations. The Lions had to lean on Gibbs for most of the game to keep the Saints at bay, while the Jaguars were ahead of the Browns from the jump. It's fair to wonder what Tuten could have done with more touches, especially given his respectable 4.4 yards-per-carry average in his first real start as the go-to guy in the backfield.
Next week will be another chance for Tuten to build on his impressive Week 1 performance as the Jaguars travel to Mile High to face the Broncos.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
