The Tennessee Titans are heading toward 2026 with a running back room that looks almost unchanged from the one they had last season. Tony Pollard is set to lead the way as the starter, Tyjae Spears is expected to be the backup, and rookie Nicholas Singleton could chip in for snaps while giving the group some needed depth.
Pollard remains the centerpiece, and the case for him is pretty strong. He has put together four straight 1,000-yard seasons, including two since signing with Tennessee in free agency in 2024. Even with that track record, the Titans would still benefit if Spears or Singleton can carve out a real role as a dependable No. 2 and lighten Pollard’s workload while adding another layer to the offense.
That’s where the latest outside opinion lands hard. Pro Football Focus released its preseason rankings of NFL running back rooms and put Tennessee at No.
- Among the Titans’ AFC South neighbors, the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars were ranked lower, while the Indianapolis Colts checked in at No.
For a group built around a back as productive as Pollard, that placement has to sting. The Titans’ running backs bring a mix of versatility and explosiveness, and Pollard in particular has been one of the league’s most reliable rushers over the last several seasons.
Tennessee may want the passing game to be the headline act, but the ground attack could still end up driving the offense. If the passing game sputters - as it did in the opening preseason game - offensive coordinator Brian Daboll may have no choice but to lean on Pollard, Spears and the rest of the backfield to keep things moving.
So with the regular season drawing close, the Titans’ running backs have a simple piece of motivation sitting in front of them. PFF’s ranking didn’t show much respect, and that kind of slight can travel a long way into the fall.
In Other News...
Titans Roster Shakeup Puts Unexpected Focus On Their Defensive Depth
The Titans kept their roster moving this week, adding veteran defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Milo Eifler after recent workouts while also making a change at tight end by releasing Matt Lauter. The pair of defensive signings fits the kind of late-summer roster churn that often reveals where a team thinks it needs more insulation, especially when injuries and availability start to reshape the back end of the roster.
Nazeeh Johnsons move to injured reserve adds another wrinkle for Tennessee, coming shortly after he was suspended for six games for violating the NFLs Performance Enhancing Substances policy. With Johnson unavailable and the Titans bringing in players who have already bounced around the league, the emphasis now shifts to how much reliable depth they can build on defense before the season settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Add Two Defenders As One New Arrival Suddenly Stands Out
With a joint practice against the Seahawks on deck and another game looming, the Titans are continuing to churn the bottom of the roster while trying to keep the defensive depth chart stable. Tennessee placed safety Nazeeh Johnson on Reserve/Injured after his six-game suspension for violating the NFLs Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, then opened the spot by releasing tight end Matt Lauter and bringing in defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Milo Eifler.
The two additions give the Titans some extra bodies on defense at a time when preseason reps matter, and Kpassagnon in particular is a name that immediately jumps off the page among the newcomers. With the roster still in flux this close to the Seattle week, the more interesting question is how quickly Tennessee can sort out which of these fresh faces is simply filling space and which one might force his way into a larger role. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Camp Battle Is Forcing A Tough O-Line Decision
Training camp has offered the Titans a better look at the offensive line than they had at times last season, with JC Latham and Fernando Carmona drawing attention for the right reasons. The front has shown enough promise to suggest Tennessee may have a workable core, but camp also has a way of making the weak spots stand out, and right guard Cordell Volson and swing tackle Austin Deculus have been among the players under the most scrutiny.
That leaves the Titans weighing whether internal competition is enough or whether they need to make a change before the group is set. One option under consideration is a roster move that could bring Jack Conklin back into the mix as a swing tackle, a possibility that speaks to how seriously Tennessee is treating the depth questions along the edge and inside. [Read more 🡒]