Tyjae Spears‘ 2025 debut could be delayed by at least one month. The third-year running back is a candidate to begin the season injured reserve, TitansInsider’s Terry McCormick reports. 
The designated for return distinction is still in play after it was introduced for roster cutdowns in 2024. As a result, teams can place as many as two players on injured reserve without the move ending their seasons. Any player given the designation is required to miss at least the first four weeks of the campaign, though.
Spears exited Tennessee’s first preseason game with a high ankle sprain. He has yet to practice since then, so it would come as a surprise if he were to be back at full strength in time for Week 1. The IR-designated for return path would thus be a sensible one to take for the Titans. Tony Pollard is set to handle lead back duties once again this season, and missed time in Spears’ case would add to his workload in September.
Tennessee also has fourth-year reserve Julius Chestnut along with sixth-round rookie Kalel Mullings as depth options in the backfield. Spears moving to IR would obviously help their chances of making the Titans’ 53-man roster. Still, it would deal a blow to Tennessee’s offense. Spears has been a key rotational figure on the ground over his first two seasons, and he has totaled 82 catches in the passing game. The Tulane product’s absence will be felt provided he does wind up missing notable time early on.
Two years remain on Spears’ rookie contract. He missed five contests last season after a full run of availability as a rookie. Adding further to his time on the sidelines will not help the chances of an extension being worked out in the 24-year-old’s case, although that cannot happen until next offseason at the earliest. For now, his immediate future will be determined by how the Titans handle his roster spot over the coming days.