The Tennessee Titans made an interesting roster move on Tuesday, signing running back Michael Carter from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after placing Fernando Carmona and Jackson Slater on injured reserve. His addition gives Tennessee five running backs on the active roster, a number that seems out of place in today’s NFL.
Carter was elevated for Sunday’s game as a precaution, with both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears battling ankle injuries and Spears being questionable. But after pregame, head coach Robert Saleh chose Spears and made Carter inactive.
Now, with his addition to the roster, it raises concerns about Tennessee’s backfield and the health of Pollard and Spears heading into their Week 4 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Both
running backs either missed time or were limited in Week 3 practices, and Spears also missed time in Sunday’s matchup with the Giants, so Carter would add a veteran presence. In 61 NFL games, he has rushed for 1,692 yards on 419 carries with nine touchdowns, while adding 145 receptions for 1,038 yards and one touchdown.
Outside of Carter, rookie Nick Singleton and special teams standout Julius Chestnut would be the primary backs behind Pollard and Spears, and the two have combined for only 10 yards on four carries in 2026.
The Titans will return to the practice field on Wednesday, and hopefully, fans can get some clarity as the team starts preparations for the Ravens.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: What does the signing of Michael Carter mean for Titans' backfield?
