JACKSONVILLE – He's focused, improving and looking forward.

Tank Bigsby has been among the Jaguars' biggest 2024 preseason stories – and in one sense, he said his approach this season is the same as it was last season.

He's focusing on what's important – and as little else as possible.

"I always shut out the noise," Bigsby said.

Bigsby, a running back selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, turned in a solid '24 preseason and has emerged as a solid backup behind starter Travis Etienne Jr. He drew praise from Jaguars coaches throughout '24 training camp and preseason with his production, approach and work ethic following what at times was a difficult rookie season.

"He has done a good job," offensive coordinator Press Taylor said this week. "It's very, very important to him. There aren't a lot of guys that care more than Tank cares. There were kind of some unfortunate things that happened to him early last year when he just got started as a rookie.

"He just continues to take the steps that you hope to see from a young player, especially somebody that we do believe we'll be able to count on. He's shown that, he's earned that and we're excited about what's ahead for Tank."

Bigsby, who rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries as a rookie last season, rushed for 105 yards on 21 preseason carries.

"I just really worked hard on my craft and focus on the little things and the details of my job, and I really got an understanding of the offense," Bigsby said.

This came after a difficult rookie season in which he struggled at times, and he entered the preseason continuing to "put my best foot forward and be who I am every day."

"I just chop wood every day," Bigsby said.

Bigsby also called his rookie season brutal in terms of adapting to a new role and new circumstances while transitioning from college to the NFL.

"You're coming from playing a lot and then you come here and you may get an opportunity every 10 plays, and you have to know when to go," he said. "It can be a learning lesson. It was kind of bad last year, but it's all a learning lesson.

"I always looked to God. I always keep my joy and I always kept my smile. I always kept who I was because I know eventually, he was going to pull me out of it."

Part of his approach: Not worrying about the thoughts of observers.

"They could say what they want," he said with a smile. "A few months ago, they were saying that I was the worst person ever. I just remain who I am and continue to grow and the sky's the limit. I just thank God for this opportunity. I didn't really pay attention to it. I saw what people were saying sometimes. I was like, 'I really don't care because I know who I am at the end of the day.' None of that stuff matters.

"It's about how can I help this team become the best team it can be. That's what I realized since last year and that's what I look forward to doing."

He added, "I saw those things, the negative thoughts, but the people who are negative will be the same people one day in my career asking for something. That's how I go."

QUOTABLE

• Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen on defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, whose combined 27.5 sacks led all pass-rushing tandems in 2024: "Those guys, they can play with finesse, they can play with power, they've done a good job in the run game, playing on the edge, coming out of a three-point stance. It's exciting. The thing about them that makes them the next level and the next step is they practice every day. There's not a day off. They come out there, they're working every day to get better. That's what you appreciate as a coach. You see their body of work and it's very impressive."