ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Michael Pittman has been doing everything he can to convince the Denver Broncos that he deserves more carries.

He should get his chance against Jacksonville on Sunday, when he figures to split snaps with Andre Hall.

Tailback Selvin Young, who has averaged 5.7 yards a carry, won't play against the Jaguars because of a strained left groin, the same injury that will keep tight end Tony Scheffler on the sideline.

“Well, it's definitely an opportunity for me and I look forward to it,” Pittman said. “... if my number's called a lot more, I'll definitely appreciate it and I'll do my thing.”

Pittman is coming off his best game since joining the Broncos as a free agent this summer.

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he played the previous six seasons, Pittman had two key third-down runs that led to 10 points, then sealed Denver's 16-13 win in the waning minutes by bullying his way for a big first down that allowed the Broncos (4-1) to run out the clock.

Afterward, he said he's in good enough condition in his 11th NFL season to carry more of the load.

And coach Mike Shanahan concurred.

“Obviously, the better you play the more time you're going to get,” Shanahan said.

Pittman was moved to fullback in training camp, a position he'd never played. But with the emergence of rookies Spencer Larsen, a converted linebacker, and Peyton Hillis, Pittman has served as Denver's short-yardage, third-down and goal line back, scoring four of the Broncos' five rushing touchdowns.

When Pittman arrived in Denver this summer, he told the Broncos coaching staff he'd do whatever was asked of him, and they took him at his word.

“I accepted my role and my role has changed every week,” Pittman said.

Still, he's never strayed from the running back's creed: Give me the ball more and I'll be even better.

“The last four years I was a backup to Cadillac (Williams), so that put a lot of years still left in my legs,” Pittman said.

So, he'd love 15-20 carries instead of six.

“I never went to a coach and asked for more carries. I just show them on the field,” Pittman said. “I'm serious about what I do. I take a lot of pride in what I do. I'm a physical runner, a physical blocker. If more carries come, I'll definitely welcome that. I got a lot of juice left.”

In Tampa Bay, Pittman's role was to carry the ball until the Buccaneers got close to the end zone. Then, he'd give way to Mike Alstott, who would bully his way into the end zone.

“Well, you always want to score touchdowns. But at the same time in Tampa, I accepted my role for what it was. Mike was the goal line guy,” Pittman said. “And when Mike scored, I scored. That's just the way I felt.

“I've never been a jealous player or a selfish player. Everybody has their role in the offense and everybody wants to run the ball 20 times or 30 times a game. Everybody wants to score touchdowns. You accept your role and try to help your team any way possible.”

Pittman has 119 yards on 29 carries for a 4.1-yard average.

If given the chance, he figures he has another 1,000-yard season in him.

“Your average 33-year-old can't do it, but I'm not your average 33-year-old man,” Pittman said. “I don't get tired. I'm physical in everything I do. A lot of 33-year-old guys, yeah, they lose a lot at that age. But I'm a little bit different. I take care of myself. I still got a lot left.”