The first day of June in Nashville was already hot, but the most interesting temperature reading came from the ground at Saint Thomas Sports Park. There, moving through team drills for the first time since the draft, was rookie running back Nicholas Singleton.
The fifth-round pick out of Penn State had been limited by a foot injury dating back to pre-draft medical evaluations. The Tennessee Titans had taken a cautious approach during early organized team activities, restricting Singleton to no contact and individual drills only.
Then on June 1, head coach Robert Saleh confirmed the positive update.
"He's back in team drills," Saleh said, offering a concise yet meaningful update that resonates across the depth chart.
This development doesn't guarantee Singleton will be the starter or a Week 1 contributor. Rather, it signals that the door for his full participation has cracked open, and now the Titans will see whether he can push through the rest of the way.
For a team that has spent two offseasons reshaping its offense, the return of a healthy rookie running back matters more than his fifth-round selection suggests.
The backfield Singleton enters is neither empty nor settled.
Tony Pollard returns as the clear lead back after a 1,082-yard rushing season in 2025, his first year in Tennessee. Pollard, now 29 and heading into his eighth NFL season, ran hard last year, carrying the ball 242 times and catching 33 passes while scoring five touchdowns. While he was steady and reliable, Pollard is no longer the type of back who can shoulder 300 touches.
Behind Pollard, Tyjae Spears enters his fourth season. Spears ran for 283 yards last year on 72 carries, added 45 receptions, and has established himself as a change-of-pace option. At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Spears complements the offense but isn't built for volume carries.
Meanwhile, Michael Carter was signed in free agency after spending 2025 with the Arizona Cardinals, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Kalel Mullings, a 2025 draft pick, saw limited action with three carries last season. Julius Chestnut, primarily a special teams contributor, has 40 career rushing yards. This collection of backs signals a need for a dynamic spark--someone with explosion and a different gear.
Singleton demonstrated that gear at Penn State, averaging 6.1 yards per carry over three seasons with 2,725 rushing yards and 61 receptions out of the backfield. He is a one-cut runner with the ability to hit the hole quickly and reach the second level before linebackers can close the gap. His style fits well within the scheme being installed by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll--a system emphasizing zone runs and play-action.
The primary question has been whether Singleton's foot would cooperate.
Foot injuries in running backs are a special concern. The position demands sudden direction changes, explosive push-off, and the ability to plant and cut at full speed. A compromised foot not only reduces production but also alters running mechanics, causing hesitation--and hesitation in the NFL backfield results in immediate hits.
Saleh's update does not eliminate those concerns but represents the first real step toward answering them.
Regarding the depth chart, Singleton's return so far changes little in the top two spots. Pollard and Spears remain the primary backs projected to get the majority of carries when training camp opens. However, the fight for the third running back role--the crucial spot that determines who dresses on game day and who remains on the sidelines--has become notably more competitive.
Carter brings experience. Mullings provides size. Singleton offers the explosive potential the Titans have lacked since Derrick Henry's departure. That potential is the reason general manager Mike Borgonzi selected Singleton in the fifth round despite concerns about his foot.
The Titans have also invested heavily in bolstering their passing game this offseason, adding receivers like Elic Ayomanor and first-round pick Carnell Tate, trading for Wan'Dale Robinson, and bringing back Calvin Ridley. The offense is projected to throw more and run differently.
Still, running the ball remains essential. The team needs backs who can make plays when the blocking isn't perfect.
Singleton displayed that ability at Penn State and notably showed it against Ohio State in 2023, ripping off a 40-yard run on a simple outside zone. His injury pushed him down draft boards to the fifth round, but the Titans bet on his eventual healing.
Now that he has returned to team drills, the question shifts to what happens next.
Key details to monitor include Singleton's performance when pads go on during training camp and his ability to pass protect. Rookie running backs who cannot block do not see the field in Brian Daboll's offense. Daboll demands a certain level of protection awareness from backs, a skill that takes time to develop--especially for a player who missed early install sessions managing injury recovery.
Nonetheless, Singleton's reentry into team drills is a significant milestone. He is practicing, running with the offense, and participating in the huddle.
For a fifth-round pick with a recent foot injury, this is not to be taken for granted. For a player whose pre-draft medicals scared off some teams, it is a victory.
The Titans don't need Singleton to be a star but rather a complementary contributor--someone who can handle eight to ten touches per game, keep Pollard fresh, and provide the offense with a different look. If Singleton's foot holds up, he can fill that role. If the injury recurs, Tennessee will rely more on Carter and Mullings and hope the veteran depth can compensate.
The NFL season may not begin until September, but foundations are built in June. Singleton stepping back into team drills is one small but meaningful brick in that foundation.
It reshapes the outlook for the running back position battle and affects coaching decisions as the staff builds game plans for the upcoming season.
One healthy foot does not make an offense, but in a backfield searching for a third option with explosive potential, it makes a significant difference.
Pollard will carry the workload. Spears will get his touches. Now, Nick Singleton has the chance to prove what he can do when the defense is real, calls are live, and his foot is ready to push off.