Jaguars offense keeps counting on Fournette

JACKSONVILLE — Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette starts the second quarter of his rookie year today against Pittsburgh third in the NFL with 81 carries and tied for seventh with 285 rushing yards.

So why does it seem like Fournette should be allowed to do more?

Why does it appear the Jaguars are saving Fournette for the long term (December) when that may not matter if the short term (the next month) is not successful?

Why does it feel like the Jaguars are determined to assign a set number of carries to Chris Ivory even if Fournette is rolling?

How Fournette is being used — not how much — became Topic A last week against the New York Jets when the Jaguars had firstand-goal from the 6-yard line in the final two minutes and Fournette did not touch the football once in three plays. The Jaguars settled for a field goal and lost 23-20 in overtime.

There is no objection to Fournette’s workload — he has 93 total touches (81 carries and 12 receptions) through four games. He is on pace for 324 carries and 48 catches. The rushing attempt total would be 10th-most for a rookie since 1970 and third-most in Jaguars history.

“Up to expectations,” running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley said. “He’s doing what’s asked of him. He’s getting to the point where he’s coming along and maturing as an everydown back.”

That may arrive against the Steelers, allowing clarity on the aforementioned three questions. Coach Doug Marrone certainly hinted at a bigger play-time role for Fournette (54.9 percent of the snaps this year), which may include more higher-leverage situation involvement (third down/ red zone).

Marrone said he has to do a “better job,” of deciding if Fournette should stay in the game during a series. Even if it is as a decoy or pass protector, playing Fournette more may help the overall offense.

Fournette is ready to do what is required.

“I feel great,” he said after Thursday’s practice.

Here is how Fournette ranks compared with other top running backs:

Fournette’s 93 touches rank third behind the Los Angeles Rams’ Todd Gurley (106 — 86 carries/20 catches) and Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell (104 — 87 carries/17 catches).

Fournette’s 81 rushing attempts are third behind Bell and Gurley.

Fournette’s work ratio of one touch every 1.7 snaps of his playing time leads the group. Gurley is second at 1.9. Fournette has a touch on 52.3 percent of his snaps, also highest among the tailback group. Translation: When he’s on the field, chances are he’s getting the football, which in turn makes the Jaguars more predictable.

But Fournette’s playing time — 155 of 282 snaps (54.9 percent) — is last by a wide margin. Seventh in playing time is Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman (64.6 percent). Bell leads (88.3), followed by Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott (83.5).

The Jaguars merit a pass on Fournette’s playing time against Houston and Baltimore, wins of 22 and 37 points, when he played 61 and 51 percent of the plays.

But last week against the Jets, Fournette’s 39 snaps (out of 78) ranked 17th among NFL running backs and his percentage of snaps (50.0) was 26th. And that was an overtime game.

What gives? The Jaguars will face a Steelers bell-cow back (Bell) who has a different running style but doesn’t leave the field.

“We don’t over-analyze it,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Bell’s role. “He’s a highly conditioned guy. He’s a big-time competitor. We’re just trying to do what’s required to win games. And sometimes, that’s going to be more carries than others.”

Against the Jets, Fournette never played five consecutive snaps. On 12 possessions, he played one or two consecutive snaps.

Who makes the call on which tailback is in the game?

“I’m always involved in that,” Marrone said. “Every call, everything comes through me. I’m on all three phases.”