Pollard practices fully; Spears returns with limited work

Tony Pollard was a full participant in Thursday's practice with a foot injury, while Tyjae Spears returned on a limited basis with an ankle injury. Tennessee's official report confirms that both running backs completed work after missing Wednesday's session.

Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers also returned with limited participation because of a back injury. Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk independently reported the running backs' participation levels Thursday afternoon.

The completed session advances the earlier report that coach Robert Saleh expected both backs to practice. Tennessee has not yet issued its final game designations for Sunday at Baltimore.

Earlier reporting through Thursday afternoon, October 1

Titans coach Robert Saleh indicated that Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and John Franklin-Myers should practice Thursday, team reporter Jim Wyatt reported. Pollard’s foot injury and Spears’ ankle injury kept both running backs out Wednesday. Saleh’s expectation is a step toward returning to practice; it does not confirm a completed session, full participation or clearance for Sunday against Baltimore.

Wednesday background

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears both missed the Titans' Wednesday practice ahead of Sunday's game at Baltimore. The official report lists Pollard with a foot injury and Spears with an ankle injury, leaving Tennessee's two leading backfield options to be monitored through the rest of the week.

The distinction matters for Pollard's injury record. Earlier coverage described an ankle issue, but Wednesday's filed report specifies his foot. FantasyPros highlighted that change in its 4:19 p.m. update, while team reporter Jim Wyatt shared the current report Wednesday afternoon. Neither running back has a game-status designation on the Wednesday table.

Tennessee has already added depth by promoting Michael Carter from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday. Titans Wire reported that Carter had been elevated as a precaution for the Giants game but was inactive after the team elected to use Spears. His subsequent promotion gives the club an additional active-roster option; it does not establish that Pollard or Spears will be unavailable Sunday.

Carter's addition brought Tennessee to five active-roster running backs, according to Titans Wire. Rookie Nick Singleton and Julius Chestnut are also in the group. Tennessee has not announced its starting backfield or distribution of carries against the Ravens.

The backfield report arrives as Tennessee also adjusts its offensive line. Guards Fernando Carmona and Jackson Slater were placed on injured reserve Tuesday, and Robert Saleh said Wednesday that both would have surgery. In the team's practice account, Saleh declined to identify Sunday's starting right guard after Garrett Dellinger's promotion to the active roster.

John Franklin-Myers also missed Wednesday's practice with a back injury. The next participation reports will show whether he, Pollard or Spears returns to work. The Titans' Wednesday absences establish the starting point for that process, while the final game-status report and Sunday roster decisions will determine who is available in Baltimore.