Julius

Chestnut

The third-year back is mostly a special teamer, but managed to see some time on offense as the Titans didn’t bother rostering a real backup for Tyjae Spears. He finishes the year with a 22/102 rushing line and two catches for 11 yards. Chestnut will be a restricted free agent this offseason, but we’re tentatively expecting him back in Tennessee pending what happens upstairs after the Titans completed their quest for the No. 1 overall pick by finishing 3-14. He’s a fantasy non-factor.

Tyjae Spears has been ruled out. If Pollard also sits, the Titans will be down to Julius Chestnut as their starter. Pollard was limited in practice throughout the week. If the Titans had anything to play for, he would almost certainly be out there. Given that they have been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks, Pollard’s status is in doubt. Pollard will get a Texans team likely resting their starters in the second half, creating a positive game script for the veteran back. If active, he will sit in the RB2 ranks one last time.

Spears was the workhorse back for the Titans with Tony Pollard (flu) out. He totaled 23 touches for 103 yards through three quarters. Spears had 19 carries to cross 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career, but was dropped for a five-yard loss on the same play that got him sent to the locker room for concussion protocol. The early exit prevented fantasy managers from getting a true league-winning performance from Spears after he scored four touchdowns over his last two games. Julius Chestnut had three carries for 17 yards in relief. If Spears clears protocol for Week 18 against the Texans, he will be a high-end RB2 if Pollard is out and a FLEX play if Pollard is in. Chestnut is an RB3 if both Pollard and Spears are out.

He also lost a fumble. Staked to the main backfield role to the point where the Titans had just one Julius Chestnut carry without Tyjae Spears, Pollard actually looked relatively efficient against a good Texans run defense. He had 15 carries for 76 yards on runs outside the tackle box. If Spears is back in Week 13, it’ll be a slight downgrade for Pollard, but either way his workload is good enough to be a capable RB2 against the Commanders.

Despite failing to practice once this week, Pollard is in the lineup this week. He gets a matchup at home versus a weak New England defense and his team is favored by bookmakers. If it weren’t for the injury, this would be a smash spot for the veteran back. Even if Pollard’s touches are limited, he should be able to make them most of them en route to an RB2 fantasy performance this week. Julius Chestnut will back him up with Tyjae Spears sidelined.

Pollard did not practice once this week but still drew a questionable tag on Friday. With Tyjae Spears ruled out because of a lingering hamstring issue, the Titans took things down to the wire with Pollard despite his lack of a single practice rep. It appears to have worked as Pollard is in line to gut it out versus the Pats. With Pollard limited at best, it’s safe to assume we will see more of Julius Chestnut than usual. Chestnut is stepping into the No. 2 role sans Spears. Fantasy managers with a bench spot to spare could take a flyer on Chestnut before Sunday’s games.

Spears got in a limited practice on Wednesday but was downgraded to a DNP for the following two sessions. It looks like his hamstring did not respond how the team wanted and he will miss at least one more game. Given the lingering nature of his injury, Spears could be sidelined for a few more weeks. Julius Chestnut will take his place in the lineup. With Tony Pollard (foot) highly questionable for Week 9, Chestnut could fall into a starting role versus New England.

PFF’s Nathan Jahnke characterized Chestnut’s status as being “penciled in as the third back, but he’s facing competition.” Chestnut picked up three total first downs, forced four missed tackles and produced one explosive, 10-plus-yard run play and one explosive 15-plus-yard pass play via 15 touches on Saturday. Both Chestnut and undrafted free agent rookie RB Jabari Small appear to have surpassed Hassan Haskins on the depth chart. Small rushed seven times for 13 yards and caught 4-of-4 targets for 24 yards, tacking on two first-downs gained and one explosive 15-plus-yard pass play. Chestnut and Small are on the dynasty radar.

Chestnut was an exclusive rights free agent, so this was his only game in town unless he was looking to retire. The 23-year-old spent most of 2023 on injured reserve. He’ll be back to keep for a special teams-focused spot in the Titans’ remade backfield.

Smith was a sixth-round pick of the Panthers and played two seasons for them before getting released prior to this season. He joins a Titans team with a lackluster receiving corps behind DeAndre Hopkins. Notably, the Titans also placed RB Julius Chestnut on injured reserve, potentially opening up an offensive spot for Smith soon.