The Tennessee Titans will hold several position battles at training camp, especially for back-end spots on the 53-man roster. One of those battles will occur at running back. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears project as bellcows in Brian Daboll's backfield, but additional roster spots at running back are seemingly open to competition.
The Titans drafted former Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round. That essentially guarantees Singleton will make the 53-man roster, but doesn't mean he's assured of being the No. 3 back behind Pollard and Spears. The Titans also have veterans Michael Carter, Julius Chestnut, and Kalel Mullings competing for roster positioning.
Mullings is a sophomore draft pick who may still possess a leash with the roster. Carter was an offseason addition who previously played for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh with the New York Jets. The added competition leaves Chestnut with a perilous pathway to the 53-man roster.
Titans may be ready to send veteran RB packing once and for all
Chestnut initially joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He surprisingly made the 53-man roster as a rookie out of Sacred Heart. Chestnut made the roster again as a sophomore in 2023, establishing himself as the team's third back.
Chestnut continued his streak of making the 53-man roster in 2024, this time appearing in all 17 regular-season games as a special teams fixture. He also rushed for 102 yards in spot duty. Chestnut returned in 2025 as a roster fixture and signed another one-year contract earlier this offseason. He's been a preseason star throughout his tenure while displaying a never-say-quit approach.
Perhaps the Titans only keep three running backs, providing the rookie Singleton with an advantage. If four is the magic number, both Carter and Mullings possess arguments to be retained over Chestnut for different reasons. Mullings is supposed to be a special teams ace, and Carter has a skill-set similar to Spears', which may be handy due to the latter's injury issues.
Chestnut has written an inspirational story throughout his tenure with the Titans, but he'll face his biggest uphill battle yet at this year's training camp.
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