Tony Pollard Makes an Impact in Preseason Opener Against Niners
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard worked with the starting unit in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night in the 19-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers and made an impact on the ground, carrying the ball four times for 22 yards and the team's lone rushing score. The 29-year-old was not targeted in the passing game. Pollard had a 12-yard run on the team's first play from scrimmage, and his touchdown run came from five yards out. There have been reports this offseason that pass-catching back Tyjae Spears could have a bigger role in the backfield in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme, but Pollard put his best foot forward in the preseason opener toward securing the RB1 role in Tennessee's backfield. Pollard quietly had his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 in his second year with the Titans, adding five touchdown runs and 33 receptions for 206 yards through the air in 17 starts. He's been flex-worthy for fantasy managers the last two years in a bad Titans offense, so if Tennessee can improve in 2026 under Daboll, Pollard could bring more RB3/flex value at the RB position.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Nicholas Singleton Runs with Second Team on Thursday Night
With most of the Tennessee Titans' starters playing well into the second quarter of the team's preseason debut against the 49ers, rookie running back Nicholas Singleton did not see his first action until the closing minutes of the first half, but he looked good on his first carry, running up the middle for eight yards on first down. Singleton would end the night with 31 yards on a team-leading eight carries but found no involvement in the passing game on a night where the Titans completed only 12 total passes. Singleton has had a strong training camp, but with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears appearing to have well-defined roles on the depth chart ahead of him, he could be hard-pressed to carve out standalone value in 2026. In the long term, however, the rookie should only see his value rise, as both veterans are on the final year of their respective contracts, and Singleton is RotoBaller's dynasty RB42.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyjae Spears Impresses in Preseason Debut Amid Depth-Chart Battle
With the Tennessee Titans' rushing attack looking potent for the duration of the team's preseason debut, a 19-13 victory over the 49ers on Thursday night, fourth-year running back Tyjae Spears ran for 35 yards on only four carries, breaking off a 25-yard run on the Titans' opening scoring drive. Spears also added four receiving yards by reeling in his lone target of the night, and he figures to see a significant role in the passing game in 2026. By all accounts, he has stood out in that regard throughout training camp, and with veteran Tony Pollard still expected to see the bulk of the carries, Spears will likely need to rely on his receiving work to find and maintain fantasy relevance. With rookie Nicholas Singleton also expected to factor into the team's plans, Tennessee's running back situation remains too muddled to make Spears a must-land draft target. Still, as RotoBaller's RB50, he's a player whose usage should be watched in the opening weeks of 2026, as he could quickly reveal himself to be an early-season waiver wire priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nicholas Singleton Impresses in Joint Practice
After putting together a handful of solid days working against his own defense, Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton was given a hefty workload in the team's joint practice with the 49ers on Tuesday, with senior writer Jim Wyatt noting that he continues to impress. The Titans are a team that many are projecting to take a step forward offensively with 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward entering his second season and Brian Daboll taking over as coordinator. The fifth-round pick out of Penn State could play a role in improving what was the 31st-ranked offense a season ago. Eighth-year veteran Tony Pollard still projects as the team's lead back, while Tyjae Spears has reportedly had a strong camp of his own, featuring prominently in a pass-catching role. Still, Singleton has the versatility to sub in for either and is a player who could find fantasy relevance later in the season.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Tyjae Spears Returns to Practice on Sunday
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (soreness) was back on the practice field on Sunday, according to Jim Wyatt. This is good news after Spears didn't finish Friday's practice session due to soreness. The issue appears to be behind him as Spears busted into space for a long touchdown during Sunday's practice. The backfield in Tennessee is likely going to be a headache for fantasy managers this year. Tony Pollard figures to begin the season as the lead back, but Spears and rookie Nicholas Singleton will be mixed in as well. Spears currently sits as Rotoballer's RB71, but he does have some late-round sleeper appeal.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Tyjae Spears Doesn't Finish Titans' Friday Scrimmage
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (soreness) did not finish Friday's team scrimmage, with head coach Robert Saleh later telling reporters that the fourth-year back is dealing with soreness and irritation. While the early exit does not sound like a long-term concern, much of Spears' NFL career has been defined by injuries so a quick return to the field is of the utmost importance amid what has been reported as a strong training camp to this point. After making at least 45 catches in two of his three seasons, the passing game is an area where he has stood out throughout the summer, and a defined receiving role could lead to unexpected fantasy viability in 2026. Sharing a backfield with veteran Tony Pollard and fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton, Spears is going largely undrafted as RotoBaller's RB71. Still, with unrealized sleeper potential, his status is worth monitoring throughout the rest of camp.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Nicholas Singleton a Dynasty Target for Rebuilding Teams
Tennessee Titans' fifth-round running back Nicholas Singleton enters training camp as the team's No. 3 running back behind 29-year-old Tony Pollard and 25-year-old Tyjae Spears. Singleton tested well at the combine, with a 4.50 40-yard dash (76th percentile) and ranked in the 86th percentile in speed score. Singleton spent all four seasons at Penn State, rushing for over 1,000 yards twice and scoring 10-plus touchdowns each season. He also became more involved in the passing game as he got older, with his 2022 target share of 4.7 percent rising to 12.1 percent in 2024 and 10 percent in 2025. Both Pollard and Spears have been the running backs for the Titans the last few seasons, and while Pollard remains consistent, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons with the Titans, he remains a guy with a safe floor but not much upside. Spears finds himself as more of the pass-catching option out of the backfield, and the path for Singleton to provide immediate fantasy value in 2026 feels bleak, but considering neither runner ahead of him projects as a star player, it does open a window of opportunity in the future. Singleton has the size and athleticism to be a three-down back with receiving upside, and is worth a stash in dynasty formats for the time being.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tony Pollard to Handle Between 12-16 Carries a Game?
During a Q&A on Titans Camp Live, reporter Paul Kuharsky said Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is expected to get at least 12 carries per game this season, ideally up to 16 if the team is in the lead. Kuharsky also said fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton would compete for Pollard's workload, while Tyjae Spears would handle receiving and third-down work. Pollard is one of two backs to have four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, alongside Ravens running back Derrick Henry. With Spears and now Singleton competing for carries, Pollard will hope the Titans' offense takes a leap in production under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Tyjae Spears Heavily Involved in Passing Game
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has been heavily involved in the team's passing game early in training camp and has made the most of his screens and dump-offs through two days, according to PaulKuharsky.com. Spears is still sharing a backfield with Tony Pollard, and the Titans added more competition in this year's draft with fifth-rounder Nicholas Singleton, but the 25-year-old could be in a position to succeed in 2026 with Brian Daboll now running the Titans' offense. He has been impressive all offseason and should have the RB2 role locked down going into the start of the regular season, and the former third-rounder in 2023 from Tulane could operate as more of the 1B this year to Pollard's 1A. Spears has never had more than 453 rushing yards or four rushing touchdowns in any of his three NFL seasons, but he does have 127 catches on 155 targets in his 42 games played, and he could become an even bigger pass-catching weapon in Tennessee as second-year QB Cam Ward looks to take the next step. Fantasy managers should consider Spears as a sneaky late-round sleeper in point-per-reception leagues.
Source: PaulKuharsky.com
Source: PaulKuharsky.com
Nicholas Singleton a Rookie to Watch When Training Camps Open
Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton fell to the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which in some scenarios would be enough to remove him entirely from fantasy draft boards ahead of his rookie season. In Singleton's case, he lands in a running back room with enough question marks to still present an intriguing opportunity. Veteran Tony Pollard has run for 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons with the Titans and in four straight campaigns, dating back to his time with the Cowboys, but he had nearly as many fumbles as touchdowns in 2025 and has seen his receiving production on the decline each year since 2022. Former third-round pick Tyjae Spears has dealt with injuries and watched his efficiency drop off considerably since a 2023 rookie season in which he forced a true 50/50 split with future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry. A new coaching staff in Tennessee could lean on the veterans early in the year, but Singleton has the size and athleticism to handle a three-down role and the versatility to work in both the run and pass games. With Titans rookies reporting for training camp on Thursday, he will soon face his first challenges of handling pass protection in an NFL offense, often the biggest hurdle in first-year running backs finding the field, but if he can handle himself in that regard, the door remains open for Singleton to carve out a fantasy-relevant role as a rookie.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tony Pollard a Low-Upside Pick at Current Redraft ADP
Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard recorded 1,288 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 275 touches. By measure of per-game PPR scoring, Pollard finished the year as the RB30. The veteran back has been both durable and consistent in recent years, recording four consecutive seasons with at least 16 games played, 1,000 rushing yards, and 200 receiving yards. However, he's scored just 10 touchdowns across 33 career games as a Titan. While Tennessee's offense should continue to improve in 2026, it still profiles as a mid-tier unit at best heading into the year. Additionally, Pollard is now entering his age-29 season with over 7,500 career touches already under his belt. Tennessee has already shifted more of the backfield receiving workload to running back Tyjae Spears in recent seasons and also added a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft in Nicholas Singleton. As the RB28 by current redraft ADP, Pollard may have trouble paying off his draft-day price.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyjae Spears Entering a Make-or-Break Season for Fantasy
Entering his fourth professional season having never topped the RB35 finish of his rookie campaign, the door still has not fully closed for Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears to find fantasy relevance in 2026. A capable pass-catcher throughout his career, Spears could find fresh opportunities with a new coaching staff inheriting a running back room that is not teeming with insurmountable talent. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has some familiarity with Tony Pollard from their time together in the NFC East, but he's long shown a willingness to ride the hot hand, turning his 2025 Giants backfield over to fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo almost immediately. The Titans selected Penn State's Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, muddying the waters slightly, but if Spears can maintain a primary pass-catching role while working his way into more of an early-down rotation, he could prove to have some usable flex weeks throughout the year. At RotoBaller's RB49, he's unlikely to be selected outside of the deepest of 2026 drafts, but he's a player to keep tabs on early in the season as a potential waiver add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Carter Might Have Inside Track on Final RB Spot
The Tennessee Titans signed veteran running back Michael Carter this offseason, and he could have the inside track to the final RB spot on the 53-man roster due to his history with new head coach Robert Saleh with the New York Jets, according to Mark Mihalko of Titans Wire. However, Kalel Mullings was drafted by general manager Mike Borgonzi, and when healthy, he gives the Titans backfield a different skill set. The 27-year-old Carter spent the last two seasons in the desert with the Arizona Cardinals and had 92 carries for 333 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and one rushing touchdown in 13 games (five starts) in 2025 in his fifth year in the league. Carter added 33 receptions on 45 targets for 267 yards and no touchdowns as a pass-catcher. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are the Titans' unquestioned top-two RBs heading into the 2026 campaign, so Carter will be competing for a depth role with Mullings and rookie Nicholas Singleton this year. Most likely, Carter will not be fantasy relevant unless injuries hit Tennessee's backfield hard.
Source: Titans Wire - Mark Mihalko
Source: Titans Wire - Mark Mihalko
Nicholas Singleton a Rookie Sleeper in the Right Situation?
Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton was a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while Day 3 running backs have rarely found fantasy success, there is enough working in his favor to make him a worthwhile pick in the later rounds of rookie drafts. Singleton catches the ball well and has a rare blend of size and athleticism. While that skill set did not always translate into breakaway runs or broken tackles, his college production was still impressive, despite sharing the backfield with Penn State's all-time leading rusher, Commanders' sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen. In Tennessee, Singleton's new running mates will be a 29-year-old Tony Pollard and fourth-year back Tyjae Spears, who has missed nine games over the past two seasons and watched his production drop year after year. Having broken a bone in his foot during the Senior Bowl, it's possible that a healthy Singleton could have gone earlier in the draft, but with him falling as far as he did, to a team with no other back besides Kalel Mullings under contract beyond this season, the potential exists for him to become one of the more valuable rookies to emerge from an underwhelming draft class.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should Dynasty Managers Look to Sell High on Tony Pollard?
Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard recorded 1,288 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 275 touches. The 29-year-old has been both consistent and durable in recent years, recording four consecutive seasons with at least 16 games played and 1,000 rushing yards. Pollard may also have more chances to score touchdowns in 2026 in what should be an improved Titans offense in quarterback Cam Ward's second NFL season. However, Pollard is entering his final year under contract with Tennessee in 2026. The Titans have a new coaching staff in place and a couple of younger running back options on the roster in Tyjae Spears and fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton. Pollard has averaged just 4.5 yards per touch over his first two seasons in Tennessee, so he's highly reliant on volume for fantasy production. In dynasty formats, managers may want to sell high on Pollard ahead of a potential workload decline in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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