Titans OC Nick Holz noted Tuesday that RB Tony Pollard "wore down a little bit" last year. "We gotta get Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings ready to take some of the workload off of Tony this week," Holz added.

The Titans are placing RB Tyjae Spears on IR, knocking him out for the first four games of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Spears suffered a high-ankle sprain in Tennessee's preseason opener on August 9. It was obviously a significant injury to land him on IR. Spears was still in a walking boot this past weekend.

Titans HC Brian Callahan said Tuesday that he's looking for a more even distribution of touches this season between RBs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. He added that he might even get a third RB — Julius Chestnut or Kalel Mullings — involved.

Titans RB Tony Pollard is expected to play Sunday against the Texans, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pollard is officially questionable and missed the week's final practice. He should easily lead the backfield with Tyjae Spears (concussion) out, but his lingering ankle issue adds some risk. Julius Chestnut sits next in line for touches.

Titans RB Tony Pollard (ankle) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Texans. He put in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out on Friday. HC Brian Callahan labeled him a game-time decision. Pollard is pushing to play to pick up the 83 more rushing yards he needs to earn a $250,000 incentive. We'll get Tennessee's inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. RB Tyjae Spears (concussion) has been ruled out, so the Titans will be down to RBs Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley if Pollard can't play.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears sustained a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars – his second concussion of the season. HC Brian Callahan said afterward that Spears will not play in Week 18. We’ll see if RB Tony Pollard makes it back for that one. If not, Julius Chestnut would likely operate as Tennessee’s lead back vs. the Texans.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears left in the third quarter of Week 17 to get checked for a concussion. Without Spears (and Tony Pollard), the Titans are down to RBs Julius Chestnut and Josh Kelley.

Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) is active for today’s game vs. the Patriots. He did not practice all week, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Saturday that RB Julius Chestnut is expected to play more today. We’re still expecting Pollard to be the clear lead back in this one, but he comes with more risk than usual in fantasy lineups.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) is expected to play vs. the Patriots today. Schefter's colleague, Jeremy Fowler, said on Saturday that RB Julius Chestnut is expected to get more run today with Pollard battling this foot issue. We suspect that Chestnut's usage will ultimately depend on how Pollard is feeling during the game. Consider Pollard a risk/reward RB2 in Week 9 fantasy lineups. Chestnut would be a total desperation play.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Titans are "hopeful" RB Tony Pollard (foot) can play vs. the Patriots on Sunday. Fowler adds that RB Julius Chestnut "will get an extended look" even if Pollard plays. It makes sense that the Titans would want to lighten Pollard's load considering he didn't practice all week with this foot injury. We'd still expect him to lead this backfield if he ends up active tomorrow, but consider him more of a low-end RB2. Chestnut won't be a viable fantasy play unless Pollard is inactive.

Titans RB Tony Pollard (foot) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots. We haven’t seen any other updates on his status. RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 9. He practiced on Wednesday before being sidelined the next two days, so it looks like he suffered a setback. If Pollard can’t play this weekend, Tennessee would be down to RB Julius Chestnut and practice squaders Joshua Kelley and Jabari Small.

Titans RBs Tony Pollard (foot) and Tyjae Spears (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday. It's Pollard's second straight missed practice, while Spears was a limited participant on Wednesday. We'll see how these guys are listed on Friday's final injury report, RB Julius Chestnut is the next man up for Tennessee.