AP

The trend in many corners of the NFL in recent years has been to split up the workload in the backfield among two or more backs in order to keep throwing fresh legs and different looks at defenses.

There are still exceptions to that approach and it looks like Jacksonville would be comfortable moving in that direction now that they have rookie T.J. Yeldon as their starting running back. Yeldon got 28 touches in last Sunday’s victory over the Dolphins, a number buoyed by the loss of Denard Robinson to a knee injury but one that Jags offensive coordinator Greg Olson is fine with in the weeks to come.

“We thought as the game went on, he became more productive,” Olson said, via ESPN.com. “We’ll wait and see how the game [against New England] plays out. I think every game plays out differently. We talked before [the Miami game] with Gus [Bradley] and the offensive staff. Gus asked what we were thinking. We said if he got 20 carries or more, we think that would be a good day. We felt like, yeah, he’s ready for that right now.”

One key to feeding Yeldon will be the scoreboard, because the Jags aren’t going to be run-heavy if they have to come from behind as they did in the opening weekend against the Panthers. Playing with a lead is going to mean running the ball and the Jaguars didn’t wait long after drafting Yeldon in the second round to make it clear that they intend for him to be their lead back this season. If they can get enough leads and the rookie stays healthy, Yeldon should be among the league’s leaders in touches this season.