Jaguars running back Chris Ivory focused on making a bigger contribution

After two weeks into the Jaguars’ organized team activities, there has been no change in Coach Doug Marone’s running back rotation.

Seven-year veteran Chris Ivory is getting all the work with the first team while prized first-round pick Leonard Fournette continues to work with the second unit.

However, Marrone said there’s nothing to read into it other than Fournette and second-round pick offensive lineman Cam Robinson are going have to earn their spots. Yet, it’s widely assumed both will likely be starting for the upcoming Sept. 10 opener against Houston.

“We’re in there and we’re playing those guys through,’’ Marrone said. “A lot of times when people come in to your team, and I’ve said this before, they have to earn things. And Chris has to earn it, too. But right now, we’re not really playing. Once we start going, then you’re going to be earning it on a daily basis. If someone doesn’t do a good job one day, they may be moved down and someone moved up.’’

The Jaguars are desperate to revive their ground game to lessen the pressure on quarterback Blake Bortles, who had his share of problems that contributed to the Jaguars’ 3-13 record in 2016.

Fournette is expected to be the workhorse, while T.J. Yeldon will likely to be used on third-down situations as a passing option out of the backfield. What role the Jaguars have in mind for Ivory remains unclear. But it has been speculated since Fournette’s arrival that Ivory could be the odd man out, though, Yeldon has not participated in any OTA work yet because of an undisclosed injury.

Ivory, though, hasn’t paid any attention to any forecasting of his demise.

“One thing about it, people and everybody are going to have their opinions,’’ Ivory said. “Mainly, the people that know nothing about football. They don’t know the things we go through to get to this point. What we actually face before we come out for those games.

“Most of the stuff the people on the outside see are the mistakes and the bad things you do. It’s not always going to go the way you want. I think a lot of people that like to see guys get a 1,000 yards each year, but it just don’t work that way.’’

It didn’t work out in 2016, Ivory’s first season in Jacksonville. He missed five games due to injury and had more fumbles (five) than he scored touchdowns (three). Ivory’s 439 yards rushing last season was his lowest output since his final season with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, when he rushed for 217 yards.

Prior to the 2016 season, the Jaguars extended Ivory a five-year, $32 million contract as a free agent. They thought he was going to be their workhorse back like he was for the New York Jets, when he led the AFC in rushing with 1,079 yards in 2015. Ivory was also was effective during his first two seasons with the Jets prior his breakout year in 2015. He rushed for 833 yards in 2013; 821 in 2014.

But Ivory averaged only 3.8 yards a carry last season for the Jaguars and his rushing touchdown total was his lowest in four seasons.

“Chris last year, I don’t think he was in great shape when he was here initially and I think he was injured,’’ Marrone said.

Ivory said he is set on finding his stride, even in OTAs. Since January, he worked almost every day to overcome a hamstring injury.

“This year, I stayed with the trainers here,’’ Ivory said. “I took a week off (in January) and after that I got back to the work and I’ve been on it. I feel like I’m already in pretty good condition right now, kind of hitting my stride already.’’

Although they are competing at the same spot, Fournette said Ivory has been a great teammate, telling him all the things he needs to know to get acclimated as a rookie with enormous expectations.

“I’ve never been a guy to take away from anybody,’’ Ivory said. “When you need the help I’m going to be there to support you. At the end of the day, you are still competing. He’s (Fournette) trying to figure out some things. I know how it was for me, when I first came in and trying to figure out things and I had to find someone to lean on. My guy at the time was (former Saints running back) Pierre Thomas.’’