Titan's Running Back Tyjae Spears Recovering from a Severe Ankle Sprain
Tennessee Titans' Tyjae Spears Sidelined with High Ankle Sprain
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears is set to miss several weeks due to a high ankle sprain, potentially impacting the team's running game for the upcoming regular season. Spears sustained the injury during the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.
Spears, 24, had a modest outing in the game, carrying the ball three times for minus-1 yard. His injury occurred in the second quarter, forcing him off the field on a cart. Following the incident, he was seen on crutches with a walking boot, indicating a significant recovery period.
High ankle sprains typically take 6-8 weeks to heal fully, and the Titans do not expect Spears to return before the preseason ends. As a result, the team's plans for a balanced running attack may be disrupted, with Spears' primary replacement, Tony Pollard, set to take on increased carries and responsibility.
Pollard, who had a much larger workload last season compared to Spears, is expected to be the lead option in the backfield. In 2024, Pollard carried the ball 260 times compared to Spears’ 84. The team had aimed for a balanced rushing attack featuring both backs, but with Spears sidelined, Pollard is set to be the immediate lead back for now.
The Titans may also need to rely more heavily on running backs Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings for support during Spears' absence. Chestnut and Mullings are expected to play a more significant role in the team's running game, providing depth and balance to the offense.
Spears had a solid rookie season with the Titans, recording 312 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, 30 catches, 224 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown in 12 games (1 start). Since being drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tulane, Spears has amassed a total of 765 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in 29 career games (2 starts) for the Titans.
However, the team suffered a 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the preseason game, which could be attributed to the negative rushing performance from their running backs. With Spears out, the Titans will need to find a way to adapt and maintain a strong running game to support their offense.
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