3 Observations on Jaguars Adding DeeJay Dallas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars have added a new piece to their roster as they enter a key three-game stretch.

The Jaguars, who sit at 10-4 entering Week 16, signed veteran running back DeeJay Dallas on Tuesday following a finger injury to rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten. So, what do we make of the move?

Why Move Makes Perfect Sense

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Jaguars were facing a two-fold loss when Tuten went down with injury. He has been an explosive piece of the offense both as a rusher and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, while his ability as a kick returner has set the Jaguars up with great field position several times this season. And it is there where Dallas should be able to help the Jaguars the most.

Dallas makes sense as a No. 3 running back, but even more so as a kick returner. The Jaguars have utilized running backs at kick returner all season long, and Dallas is a natural ft after 87 career kick returns. He scored a touchdown last season as a kick returner and averaged roughly 425 kick return yards per season in his career.

LeQuint Allen, Step Right Up

Dec 14, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Lequint Allen Jr. (36) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

Another reason this signing makes sense is because the Jaguars didn't need to find anyone to fill the No. 2 role. Dallas is a perfectly sound addition as a third running back, and the Jaguars were able to make such a move because of the depth that rookie running back LeQuint Allen gives them on offense and special teams.

Allen has made big plays for the Jaguars week in and week out, whether in the return game, as a blocker, and out of the backfield. Allen has earned a larger role and the Jaguars have not been afraid to lean on him before, so there is no reason to think they will hesistate to now.

The Good News

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) returns a kick off in the first quarter during an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The good news for the Jaguars is that Tuten is not reported to be set to miss playoff time. The Jaguars are in a key final three-game stretch due to how tight the AFC South is, and missing Tuten in big games like Week 16 against the Broncos is an obvious loss. Getting Tuten back next month, though, should serve as a major boost.

The Jaguars are built to weather this injury, just like they have at so many other positions throughout the course of their successful 2025 season so far.

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