Tennessee hosts Minnesota in the final preseason tune-up at Nissan Stadium, with roster decisions looming as the 53-man deadline approaches. The weekend action doubles as a last real read on who earns a spot, while teams map speed and depth for Week 1. The Titans are already being discussed in trade chatter, with Bleacher Report proposing a bold swap that would land Washington runner Brian Robinson Jr. for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Robinson would add power and immediate help behind a backfield duo of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, a combination that depends on Spears staying healthy.

The trade angle hinges on Washington’s offseason shuffles and the emergence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-rounder who could push for time in the near future. If Tennessee pulls the trigger, Washington would at least flip a veteran asset for draft capital and create a path to value with Croskey-Merritt in mind. On the Titans’ side, Robinson would be a change-of-pace option who could step in if Pollard or Spears falter, while Cam Ward grows behind a veteran tailback room. Fantasy angles here center on workload clarity: Pollard’s volume, Spears’ injury risk, and Robinson’s immediate impact as a veteran presence.

TreVeyon Henderson lands in New England with a real shot to seize a workhorse role behind a retooled offense. His speed (4.43) and pass-blocking profile offer an on-field path to heavy early-down work, even as the backfield competition evolves under new coaching. D'Andre Swift projects to steady volume in Chicago, where Ben Johnson’s Detroit-era history hints at efficient volume even if Chicago adds more mouths to feed. Pollard’s ceiling remains high if he fends off Tyjae Spears and a more balanced Titans attack, while Brian Robinson Jr. should anchor Washington’s backfield ahead of a healthier offense. Tank Bigsby, Tank Bigsby’s surge in Jacksonville pits him against Etienne for early-down duties, with Bigsby flashing downhill efficiency to challenge for a bigger slice of the carry pie. Ashton Jeanty’s draft landing in Las Vegas signals an immediate high-leverage role, and Ashton could become a staple in fantasy lineups quickly if the Raiders’ offense hits its stride. In short, five sneaky workhorses—Henderson, Swift, Pollard, Robinson Jr., Bigsby—plus late-rounds like Jeanty and Monangai, carve a realistic path to 200–250 carry seasons in 2025, with uphill odds and big upside depending on health and coaching. The 2024 season’s multi-backbird trend shows volume still matters, and a handful of sleepers can vault into bell-cow territory with the right circumstances.

Tennessee’s Tyjae Spears will miss the remainder of the preseason due to a high ankle sprain, with team officials hopeful he can return for Week 1 against Denver. Spears has battled injuries in recent seasons but flashed multi-tools as a rookie (453 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs and 52 receptions for 385 yards; 536 total yards and 5 TDs last year). The injury opens up backfield opportunities in the short term as Tennessee leans on Pollard and a pair of backups to absorb carries as Spears heals.

In the near term, Pollard is positioned for a larger workload after a Pro Bowl-caliber season that saw 1,079 rushing yards. Kalel Mullings and Julius Chestnut figure to benefit if Spears’ absence extends, with Mullings’ 948 rushing yards and 12 TDs at Michigan and Chestnut’s 22-carry tally last season providing a path to increased touches. Fantasy managers should monitor Spears’ timeline and the Titans’ depth chart as Week 1 looms against Denver.