Tyjae Spears
#2 RB,
Free Agent
ACTUAL 2022
- FPTS
RANK:-
2023 SEASON
68 FPTS
RANK:74
AGE
21 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'11'' / 195 lbs
COLLEGE
Tulane
Won't play Sunday
Published: 2025-01-03
Spears (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
While Spears has been ruled out, fellow running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is viewed as a game-time decision for Sunday's 1:00 ET contest, per Turron Davenport of ESPN.com. In the event that Pollard ends up sidelined as well, however, Julius Chestnut would be in line to see an expanded role in Week 18, with Joshua Kelley and possibly practice squad member Jabari Small mixing in.
Misses Thursday's practice
Published: 2025-01-02
Spears (concussion) didn't practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Spears has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Texans, but at this stage, he doesn't appear to be trending toward playing this weekend after sustaining his second concussion of the campaign in the Week 17 loss to the Jaguars. Fellow running back Tony Pollard (ankle) -- who was inactive last week -- remained a limited participant in practice Thursday, but he could reclaim his usual duties as Tennessee's lead back if he's cleared to play Sunday. However, if Spears and Pollard are both sidelined versus Houston, Julius Chestnut would be in line to see an expanded role, with Joshua Kelley and potentially Jabari Small mixing in.
'DNP' in Wednesday walk-through
Published: 2025-01-01
Spears (concussion) didn't participate in Wednesday's walk-through, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
On Monday, head coach Brian Callahan noted that he wasn't optimistic about the Week 18 status of Spears, who left this past Sunday's game against the Jaguars with a concussion. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard (ankle) -- who was sidelined against Jacksonville -- was limited in practice Wednesday. If neither Spears or Pollard are available versus the Texans this weekend, Julius Chestnut would be in line to see an expanded role, with Joshua Kelley also available and Jabari Small representing a potential practice squad elevation.
Unlikely to play
Published: 2025-01-01
Titans coach Brian Callahan implied Wednesday that Spears (concussion) is unlikely to play Sunday against the Texans, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
When asked about his backfield, Callahan didn't mention Spears, instead saying Julis Chestnut, Joshua Kelley and Jabari Small likely would form a committee if Tony Pollard (ankle) were inactive. The implication is that Spears isn't expected to play, after suffering his second concussion of the season during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars.
Pessimism about Week 18 status
Published: 2024-12-30
Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan "hasn't sounded very optimistic" about Spears' (concussion) likelihood of suiting up Sunday versus Houston, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Spears worked as the Titans' lead back this past Sunday versus Jacksonville but was forced to exit the game late in the third quarter. He'd need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to suit up in Week 18, and that appears to be unlikely to happen at this point. Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) could return for the season finale, but if both Spears and Pollard are out, Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley will likely be tasked with leading the Titans' backfield.
Week 18 in jeopardy
Published: 2024-12-29
Spears (concussion) rushed the ball 20 times for 95 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Jacksonville. He added three receptions on four targets for eight yards.
Spears worked as the lead back in Tennessee's offense with Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) sidelined, and he showed the ability to handle that workload for most of the game. He ripped off long gains of 23 and 12 yards, though his day was ultimately cut short when he suffered a concussion in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, Spears' status in Week 18 is in jeopardy, though there's no official word at this point.
Set to fill in for Pollard
Published: 2024-12-28
With Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) ruled out, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, Spears is slated to see an expanded role Sunday against the Jaguars.
In the absence of Pollard, Spears is slated to lead Tennessee's backfield, with Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley available to mix in. Spears, who carried 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns and caught three of his four targets for 39 yards in a 38-30 loss to the Colts last weekend on a 61 percent snap share, is thus in a position to absorb some of Pollard's workload versus Jacksonville, a context that boosts his fantasy upside in Week 17.
Pair of rushing TDs in loss
Published: 2024-12-22
Spears rushed 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns and brought in three of four targets for 39 yards in the Titans' 38-30 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
Spears crossed the goal line from 11 and two yards out in the second half, and he finished with two more carries than backfield mate Tony Pollard. Spears also outshined Pollard as a receiver, recording one more catch and 34 more receiving yards on the same number of targets. Spears had also shined as a receiver in Week 15 against the Bengals when Pollard missed time managing his ongoing ankle issue, and the former's usage Sunday sets up an unfavorable fantasy situation in Tennessee's backfield for a Week 17 road matchup against the Jaguars.
Strong showing as pass catcher
Published: 2024-12-15
Spears rushed the ball four times for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Bengals. He added six receptions on seven targets for 87 yards and an additional score.
Spears has been surprisingly uninvolved in the Tennessee offense for much of the season, though he exploded for a big showing Sunday. He finished off the team's second possession with a one-yard touchdown leap, his only impact as a rusher in the game. However, Spears produced very well as a pass catcher with Mason Rudolph under center and the Titans chasing points in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a long gain of 43 yards as well as a 17-yard touchdown reception. Tony Pollard remains the lead back, though Spears may have carved out a more significant role across the final four games of the season.