METAIRIE, La. – This is becoming his time.
The more contact, the more physicality, the better for Chris Rodriguez Jr.– which makes practices such as Thursday morning's against the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center good and very enjoyable for the Jaguars veteran running back.
It's hitting time, and that's Rodriguez's thing.
"With the pads on, that's my game," he said.
Rodriguez signed with the Jaguars as a restricted free agent in March – and Head Coach Liam Coen on Thursday following practice said he sees Rodriguez increasingly becoming the physical, effective back they believe will help define their offense in 2026.
"He had a couple nice downhill runs today that you like to see," said Coen, who coached Rodriguez when Coen served as University of Kentucky offensive coordinator in 2021. "I thought he had a nice pickup and blitz protection as well today. "
Rodriguez, a fourth-year veteran who played his first three seasons with the Washington Commanders, has been working toward peak shape early in 2026 Training Camp after missing much of the offseason program with a foot injury.
"It's day by day," Coen said. "He's getting better and better. I've been pleased with his progress."
Rodriguez, who began participating fully in team work early in camp as the Jaguars moved into full pads, worked extensively with the first team Thursday – a practice in which he had two tackle-breaking runs early.
"It's good to get out here against somebody else," he said. "It's different than what we're used to. You see different looks."
It's those sorts of yards-after-contact runs that the Jaguars believe will help the running offense significantly by turning two- and three-yard runs into four- and five-yarders – and therefore turning difficult second-and-eight situations into more manageable down-and-distance scenarios.
"I love C-Rod," Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange said. "He's going to get downhill and he's going to run somebody over. In those short-yardage situations sometimes last year … not saying anything about anybody, but that's just the type of back we need. You need a back like that and you need somebody that's going to get downhill and get those dirty yards. It's all about the hidden yards.
"Can you get plus-two on contact? And C-Rod does that. So, he's a special guy and I can't wait to see what he does this year for us."
Check out the best photos from Day 13 of Training Camp as the Jaguars travel to New Orleans for a joint practice with the Saints ahead of their Preseason Week 1 matchup 📸 ➡️
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) arrives for joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars players during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running back Ameer Abdullah (43) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars special team players and Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars tight ends Brenton Strange (85) and Nate Boerkircher (87) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars tight end position group during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck (47) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Jalen Huskey after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars linebacker Parker Hughes (53) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens (14) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (1) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — An image from joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (3) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Jalen Huskey after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — An image from joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) and offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (64) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars linebacker Jahlani Tavai (32) and offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (60) arrive for joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars tight ends Brenton Strange (85) and Nate Boerkircher (87) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive line position group during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (1) arrives for joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Chandler Brayboy (15) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars tight ends Brenton Strange (85), Nate Boerkircher (87) and Tanner Koziol (89) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — An image from joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (73) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and Saints head coach Kellen Moore during joint practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars safety Rayuan Lane III (25) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) and offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (64) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (73) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars safety Rayuan Lane III (25) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — An image from joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars tight end Ethan Conner (48) arrives for joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars cornerback Preston Hodge (26) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive end Danny Striggow (92) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (75) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars general manager James Gladstone after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski after joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Metairie, LA. — Jaguars defensive line position group during joint practice with the New Orleans Saints at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026.
Said Rodriguez, "The biggest thing is staying ahead of the chains, being able to stay on cue and get those tough yards – especially when it's third and short or second short – and give our offense more plays. That comes with being prepared and knowing your looks."
Rodriguez early in practice Thursday lowered a shoulder on a Saints cornerback. Pushing ensued after the play, with players being separated by players and coaches from both teams. Coen smiled when discussing the play afterward and said he was "absolutely" OK with the incident.
"It wasn't anything malicious," Coen said. "It wasn't anything crazy."
Rodriguez smiled when discussing it, too, saying, "That's just the icing on the cake, getting better and going against someone else."
And make no mistake:
Rodriguez, who is listed as a co-starter at running back with Bhayshul Tuten and who is expected to be part of a rotation of backs in a balanced running offense, said he absolutely believes he is getting better as camp continues and the regular season approaches.
"I feel like I'm getting back to where I was, getting back into the flow of things," he said. "I've had my ups and downs, but it's camp. We have three or four more weeks until [Week 1]. I just have to find myself and find myself before we get there."
NOTABLE
- Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Coen were among multiple Jaguars players and coaches who spent extensive time with Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. following practice. Etienne, the Jaguars' leading rusher in 2022, 2023 and 2025, signed with the Saints as an unrestricted free agent in March. Lawrence and Etienne played together at Clemson University before both being first-round selections by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft. "It was great to see him after practice," Coen said of Etienne. "Like I told him, we'll never be able to replace what he was able to do for us, whether it was last year or what he's done in Jacksonville throughout the course of his career.' He is always welcome back in Jacksonville."
QUOTABLE
- Coen on third-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s continued improvement during '26 camp: "He has attacked the offseason the right way, that's for sure. He's come in with a mindset and mentality that everything's forward. Everything's ahead of him right now. We're staying in the moment in terms of each day, trying to get the best out of him, and he's attacking it the right way. The connection and chemistry with Trev has gotten better and improved. They're being deliberate about that."
