t.j. yeldon.jpg

Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon carries the ball during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 11, 2015.

(AP Photo)

The Jacksonville Jaguars' veterans report for training camp on Wednesday. But it probably won't be until Sept. 11, when the Jaguars open their 2016 NFL schedule against the Green Bay Packers, that Jacksonville's plan for its two starting-caliber running backs becomes clear.

Former Alabama standout T.J. Yeldon ran for 740 yards and two touchdowns on 182 carries as an NFL rookie last season. The Jaguars signed Chris Ivory in free agency after he rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns on 247 carries for the New York Jets in 2015, when he went to the Pro Bowl. Yeldon caught 36 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown and Ivory had 30 catches for 217 yards and one TD last season.

"With Chris and T.J., we've got two big backs that will compete and complement each other and share the load and be heavily involved," Jacksonville running backs coach Kelly Skipper told Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. "They're going to stay fresh and give us a great opportunity to win games."

Eleven of the 32 NFL teams had two running backs with at least 100 carries apiece last season. Only three did so while keeping both backs healthy for all 16 games.

During his rookie season, Yeldon missed a game with a groin injury and sat out the final three contests because of an MCL sprain. The Jaguars lost all four games as they posted a 5-11 record. Despite his missed time, Yeldon still ranked eighth among NFL running backs with 620 offensive snaps in 2015.

"He gained valuable experience last year, and he improved a lot," Skipper said of Yeldon. "The big thing for him is to continue his growth. ... He'll be a major contributor."

Yeldon was Alabama's Mr. Football and the Class 6A Back of the Year in 2011 for Daphne High School. He ran for 3,322 yards and 37 touchdowns on 576 carries in three seasons at Alabama.

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