Tennessee’s backfield could be headed for a bigger dose of Nicholas Singleton in Week 3, and the setup makes plenty of sense.
The rookie running back was inactive in Week 1, then got his first NFL action in the Titans’ Week 2 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, Singleton logged four carries for 10 yards. That’s a small sample, but the combination of what he showed and the current injury picture around him could push his workload upward against the New York Giants.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears both showed up on the injury report this week. Pollard was moved to limited participation on Thursday, while Spears was listed as a non-participant on both Wednesday and Thursday because of an ankle injury. If Spears is unavailable Sunday, Singleton would be in line for a larger role.
Even if Pollard is good to go, Tennessee already showed in the Eagles game that it’s willing to spread the work around in the backfield. The offense ran the ball well in that one, and the Titans could continue leaning into a three-back approach as the season moves along.
Singleton didn’t light up the box score with a 2.5-yard average per carry, but there were signs worth noting. The former Penn State back brought burst and explosiveness, even if his vision still has room to sharpen. That part of his game lines up with the scouting report he carried into the league, and it’s the kind of area the coaching staff will keep working on.
The upside is clear enough to justify more touches. Tennessee clearly thought he was ready to be part of the rotation, and a larger role could help him find more rhythm while he irons out the rough spots.
There’s also a bigger roster-building angle here. Pollard and Spears are both on expiring contracts, and general manager Mike Borgonzi didn’t show public interest in extending either player this offseason. The Titans drafted Singleton with the idea that he could become a future answer at the position.
Singleton also missed part of training camp and the preseason because of injury, which explains why Tennessee brought him along carefully. But after sitting out Week 1, his debut offered enough encouragement to suggest the Titans may be ready to give him more.
In Other News...
Brian Daboll Sends Clear Message Before Titans Visit The Giants
Jaxson Darts season ended in painful fashion, and the injury only sharpens the attention around a Giants offense that had already made him the centerpiece of its future. The 2025 first-round pick started the 2026 season before the knee injury was confirmed by MRI, with damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus ending his year and leaving New York to regroup without the quarterback it had built around.
Brian Daboll, now the Titans offensive coordinator and Darts former coach, has already made his feelings clear ahead of Tennessees trip to New York. He offered support and respect for Dart after the injury, a reminder that this matchup carries a little extra personal weight even if the Titans are focused on their own side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Legend Chris Johnson Faces A Painful Question After Diagnosis
Chris Johnsons place in Titans history has always been secure, and this week brought a different kind of update for one of the franchises most electric players. The former Tennessee running back announced that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the news also pushed back his induction into the Titans Ring of Honor as he continues to deal with his health.
Johnson discussed the diagnosis with PEOPLE magazine and said doctors have not linked football as the cause of his ALS, but he believes the sport still deserves a closer look when it comes to the relationship between football-related trauma and neurological disease. For Tennessee, it adds a sobering note to what should have been a celebratory moment for a legend whose career still resonates deeply with the fan base. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Pass Rush Debate Is Getting Harder To Ignore
Through two weeks, the Titans edge rotation has started to reveal a problem the staff cant really keep brushing aside. Jermaine Johnson II has played the most snaps among Tennessees defensive ends, but he has also posted the lowest pass-rushing grade in the group and still has not finished a sack, while Femi Oladejo and Keldric Faulk have flashed more encouraging numbers in smaller workloads.
That creates a practical question for Tennessee as the season unfolds: how long do you keep leaning on the most experienced option if the production is coming from elsewhere? If Johnsons edge pressure doesnt pick up soon, the Titans may have to reward the younger ends with more opportunities and see whether a different mix can give the pass rush a needed lift. [Read more 🡒]