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The Tennessee Titans have their first home game of the preseason on Sunday, but before that, they added a player to their running back rotation. That player is D’Ernest Johnson, who was signed to a 1-year deal.
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Following the Titans’ win over the San Francisco 49ers, and ahead of the contest against the Seattle Seahawks, here is how I project the running back depth chart to look.
Tennessee Titans Running Back Depth Projection
Running Back No. 1 – Tony Pollard. This is something that won’t change, as the running back with the most secure spot on this roster for the 2026 season is Tony Pollard. Pollard’s consistency in finishing with 1,000-yard seasons is something that will carry him into the season as a starter. Following the season is when things may begin to change.
Running Back No. 2 – Tyjae Spears. When it comes to the priority backup, Tyjae Spears is the guy. The only thing that will hold Spears back is the same thing that has held him back in the past, which is his injury issues. He will have to stay healthy, because if he doesn’t, things may not look good for his future in Nashville with the franchise.
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Running Back No. 3 – Nick Singleton. When it comes to the youth of the team, Singleton is the guy who everyone has their eyes on moving forward. He has the chance to move up as high as the No. 2 spot, but Spears’ continued growth leaves me to believe that he is the No. 3 running back on the roster as of now. This could change soon if he has a massive game against the Seahawks.
Running Back No. 4 – D’Ernest Johnson. This may seem a bit high for many, but the only other player I believe would be considered for this gig is Julius Chestnut. This is something that I am watching closely, as the one reason Chestnut would make the roster over a player like Johnson is due to his ability to be a punt and kick returner. Johnson could be an elite player on third downs, and that is exactly what the Titans will need.
Everyone else – Julius Chestnut, Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings. These are the three players who will need to make up the most ground on the roster following the addition of Johnson. This addition tells me that the Titans don’t trust what they have at running back, and it is something that will be worth monitoring.
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This story was originally published August 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM.