Tony Pollard injury update: Will Titans RB play in Week 9 vs Patriots?

Game day update: The Titans expect to have Tony Pollard available on Sunday, per Adam Schefter. Ian Rapoport was not quite as emphatic, but did tweet that " there is some optimism that he goes. "

The Tennessee Titans have not had a lot go well for them so far in the 2024 season. They are 1-6 through seven games and just lost 52-14 to the Detroit Lions after a poor performance by their special teams.

While the Titans will have a lot to figure out this offseason, running back Tony Pollard has been one of the few bright spots in the offense. Pollard has 494 yards rushing this season with three touchdowns. The Titans running back has been mostly healthy and looks much more like the player many were accustomed to seeing in Dallas.

Tony Pollard Injury Status According to ESPN's Field Yates , Titans running back Tony Pollard did not practice all week and is questionable to play on Sunday with a foot injury. Pollard will be given the chance to play on Sunday, but not practicing all week puts his status in doubt. The Titans will play the New England Patriots in Week 9 and look to get their second win of the season. That game will take place in the earlier slate of games at 1 p.m. Pollard's game status will be one to monitor on Sunday morning.

What Tony Pollard injury means for fantasy football Despite playing on a bad offense, Pollard has been a consistent player in fantasy football this season. Pollard has been the primary option in the Titans running game as he has 16 or more carries in all but one game in 2024. Despite the blowout last week, Pollard still managed 20 carries for 94 yards to go with three receptions.

The workload that Pollard has had this year was a major talking points for the Titans coaches this week. Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said , "The wear and tear we're putting on Tony right now is significant. To keep him fresh and keep him going for the next 10 games, we do need that (second option)."

However, finding that second option is easier said than done. Tyjae Spears has already been ruled out in Week 9, leaving Julius Chestnut as the only other option in the Titans backfield. That lack of depth is a big reason why Pollard likely is even being given the option to play against the Patriots.

If Pollard is able to play, the matchup is a favorable one. The Patriots are giving up the second-most points to fantasy running backs this season and are one of 10 teams to allow 10 or more rushing touchdowns. They have also allowed the third-most touchdowns in goal-to-go situations. The Patriots defense has the second-worst goal-to-go defense and the fourth-highest touchdown rate to running backs in those situations.

However, the fact that Pollard has not practiced this week does not provide a lot of optimism for his status on Sunday. If he can't go, that would leave Chestnut as the primary running back in the Titans backfield. Given that the Titans want to take some workload off of Pollard, Chestnut could see some more touches either way. With Spears out and Pollard's status uncertain, Joshua Kelley is likely to also be activated from the practice squad on Sunday.