A prominent member of the Titans’ backfield is returning in time for a Week 5 meeting with the Cardinals. The Titans have activated running back Tyjae Spears from injured reserve, according to Jim Wyatt of the team’s website. They placed safety Mike Brown on IR in a corresponding move.
Spears missed the first four games of the season with an ankle injury, depriving Tennessee of its No. 2 back behind starter Tony Pollard. A third-round selection from Tulane in 2023, Spears appeared in 29 games in his first two seasons and picked up 184 carries for 765 yards (4.2 YPC) and six touchdowns. He also chipped in 82 receptions for 609 yards and another two scores, giving the Titans an effective pass catcher out of the backfield.
During an 0-4 start this season, the Titans have rushed for 348 yards – the fourth-lowest total in the league. Pollard has accounted for 261 of those yards, though he has averaged a career-low 3.8 per tote. Without Spears, the Titans couldn’t find a legitimate complement to Pollard. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward ranks second on the team in both rushes (nine) and yards (42). Julius Chestnut has totaled just five carries, meanwhile, and rookie sixth-rounder Kalel Mullings went on IR on Sept. 26 after receiving zero touches in his first two NFL games.
Brown, who’s dealing with a knee issue, hasn’t factored in on defense this season. Instead, the fourth-year man has played all 93 of his snaps on special teams. He’ll be unavailable for at least four games.
Along with their IR moves, the Titans elevated wide receiver James Proche and defensive back Kendell Brooks from the practice squad for Sunday’s contest. Proche, formerly with the Ravens and Browns, hasn’t seen any game action this year. The same is true of Brooks, who played in five games for the Titans in 2024.