Tyjae Spears' preseason ankle injury is going to cost him the first month of the regular season.
The Titans are placing the running back on injured reserve to start the campaign in order to give Spears more time to complete his recovery, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday. Spears will not be able to return to game action until Week 5 under injured reserve rules, sidelining him a minimum of four games.
Tennessee made the move official later on Tuesday, designating the RB for return.
Spears injured his ankle in Tennessee's preseason opener and has been spending the subsequent weeks in a walking boot while working toward returning. Instead of hurrying Spears back onto the field to fill out roster requirements for Week 1, the Titans are choosing to sacrifice his first month of availability so they can ensure he's fully healthy when he returns.
A third-round pick of the Titans out of Tulane in 2023, Spears is entering his third NFL season with 184 carries, 765 rushing yards and six rushing scores to his name over 29 career games. He'll aim to return as a complement to lead back Tony Pollard. In the meantime, the Titans will have to decide between the likes of Julius Chestnut, rookie Kalel Mullings, Jordan Mims and Jermar Jefferson to fill out their remaining running back spots.
