Tyjae Spears will miss several weeks due to injury
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears will be out for a few weeks, according to coach Brian Callahan on Sunday. Spears, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is not expected to return before the end of the preseason. Spears was seen leaving the locker room with crutches and a walking boot on his right foot after the game. The injury occurred just before halftime, when Spears caught a pass for a 13-yard gain. He limped off the field and was quickly taken in a cart to the locker room. Callahan intended to have a more balanced ground attack this season, with Spears and Tony Pollard. Pollard’s 260 carries last season far exceeded Spears’ total (84). As a rookie in 2023, Spears participated in all 17 games, playing alongside Derrick Henry. Spears rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 52 passes for 385 yards and a touchdown. Spears missed five games last season due to two concussions, a sprained ankle, and a hamstring injury. He was expected to contribute in the passing and running games but was limited to 114 touches. Callahan also provided updates on other players. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat underwent a tonsillectomy last week, but will join the team in Atlanta for joint practices with the Falcons on Tuesday and Wednesday. Guard Blake Hance and center Lloyd Cushenberry III could also return to training this week. Cushenberry (Achilles) is on the physically unable to perform list, but has worked on a third field throughout the camp.Meanwhile, rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. has missed four consecutive practices for what the team described as general maintenance. Winston suffered a torn ACL in September, but returned in time for this year’s training camp. He left practice early last week and has not returned.
Callahan said cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is close to returning, but he did not give a timetable. Sneed is on the PUP list after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his knee in May.
