Julius

Chestnut

Spears played his first game of the season, returning from a preseason ankle injury. He saw a couple of touches on the Titans’ first drive and mixed in throughout the game with 17 total snaps. Julius Chestnut also had some involvement, with one carry for three yards and one target. Spears could see some standalone FLEX value as he ramps back up to full speed, but it’ll be hard for him to make an enticing FLEX option with this snap count split. The Raiders are at least an enticing target if you have no better options in Week 6.

Mullings was not expected to handle a notable workload, but his expected absence condenses the backfield to Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut. Tyjae Spears (ankle) is on injured reserve. Pollard is a high-end RB2, thanks in part to his hefty workload. Chestnut does not need to be stashed on benches, but for those who wish to add a primary backup, he is an option.

Tennessee gave Pollard a 1980s style workload while Tyjae Spears was sidelined last year and rarely used Chestnut, so we’d wager we’ll see Mullings as the main backup on non-passing downs while Spears nurses his high-ankle sprain. Pollard should still see the overwhelming majority of the work, just bet on it being more like 75 percent of the snaps than 80 or 90 percent.

The 5-foot-11, 228-pound Chestnut tallied 31 rushing attempts and six targets in his three abbreviated seasons with the Titans, while developing into a capable kick returner. On 22 career kick returns, he’s averaged 25.2 yards per return while forcing six missed tackles. He suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 3, 2023. Laviska Shenault served as the Seahawks’ primary kick returner last year but is no longer with the team.

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.