Tyjae Spears Is Quietly Taking More of Tennessee’s Backfield Than Fantasy Managers Realize

Tony Pollard is still the Titans' starting running back.

That part hasn't changed.

What has changed is how much separation there appears to be between Pollard and Tyjae Spears.

Through Tennessee's first two preseason games, Spears played more snaps with Cam Ward than Pollard did.

That happened twice.

When a preseason rotation repeats itself, I start paying attention.

Especially when a new offensive coordinator is involved.

Pollard Controlled the Backfield in 2025

Last season was not a committee.

Pollard finished with:

242 carries

1,082 rushing yards

5 rushing touchdowns

Spears had:

72 carries

283 rushing yards

2 rushing touchdowns

That is a huge difference in rushing volume.

Pollard was clearly Tennessee's primary runner.

The passing game was different.

Spears caught 45 passes for 264 yards.

Pollard caught 33 for 206.

Even with far fewer carries, Spears remained heavily involved as a receiver.

That receiving role is what kept him interesting in PPR formats.

Now the early-down gap may be shrinking too.

Spears Has Out-Snapped Pollard With the Starters

Pollard has started both preseason games in which Tennessee used its first-team offense.

But Spears has played more total snaps with Cam Ward.

In the first preseason game, the Titans didn't use the clean early-down versus passing-down split we saw last year.

Both backs mixed in across situations.

Then it happened again in the second game.

Pollard started.

Spears still played more.

Two games don't guarantee a regular-season rotation.

But this is exactly the kind of information preseason can give us.

We don't care much about rushing yards against backup defenders.

We care about who is standing next to the starting quarterback.

Spears has been there a lot.

Brian Daboll Changes the Projection

Tennessee has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll.

That matters because we're not simply projecting last year's offense forward.

The Titans themselves highlighted Spears as a player who could have a larger role under Daboll both as a runner and receiver.

Historically, Daboll has been willing to rotate backs when he hasn't had a true workhorse like a healthy Saquon Barkley.

That's what makes this preseason usage more interesting.

Pollard is a good NFL running back.

But Tennessee does not need to give him 70 percent of the backfield simply because that's what happened last year.

A new staff can reset the rotation.

It looks like that may be happening.

Spears Already Owns Valuable PPR Touches

The easiest way for Spears to beat his fantasy price isn't by taking Pollard's job.

It's by adding carries to the receiving role he already has.

Forty-five receptions from a running back matters in full PPR.

If Spears keeps that type of passing-game usage and moves from 72 carries into something closer to 120 or 140, the fantasy profile changes significantly.

He no longer needs a Pollard injury to matter.

He becomes a weekly flex candidate.

And if Pollard does miss time, Spears still has the upside of inheriting a larger role.

That's exactly what I want from a later-round running back.

Standalone value plus contingency upside.

What About Nick Singleton?

Tennessee also has rookie Nick Singleton.

He matters long term.

But his preseason usage has looked different from Spears' role.

Singleton has consistently come off the field in obvious passing situations.

That makes sense for a rookie.

Pass protection and route responsibilities are usually the hardest part of the transition for young running backs.

For fantasy purposes, that makes Spears' receiving role look safer.

Singleton can still earn carries.

He can still create explosive plays.

But right now the most valuable non-Pollard touches appear to belong to Spears.

Pollard Isn't Suddenly a Bad Pick

I don't want to turn this into a Pollard fade article.

He just rushed for 1,082 yards.

He's still starting games.

He's still going to carry the football.

If Tennessee's offense improves with Cam Ward taking another step, Pollard can absolutely have a productive season.

The change is in his ceiling.

If Spears is truly moving this closer to a 50-50 or 55-45 backfield, Pollard's path to another 240-carry season becomes much harder.

That matters when evaluating him against running backs with clearer volume.

My Fantasy Read

I'm buying Tyjae Spears at cost.

The thesis is simple.

Last year, Spears had 45 receptions despite being clearly behind Pollard as a runner.

This preseason, he has out-snapped Pollard with the starters in both games they've played.

The Titans have openly discussed a larger role for him under Brian Daboll.

I don't need Spears to become the RB1.

I need the rushing workload to move closer to the receiving workload he already owns.

If that happens, he can have standalone PPR value.

And if Pollard misses time, Spears becomes significantly more valuable.

That's the exact profile I want from a later-round running back.

Fantasy managers are still drafting the 2025 backfield.

Tennessee may be showing us the 2026 version is different.