View of running back

Jim Wyatt

Training Camp Preview: Running Bucks

While Camping (6): RB Derrick Henry, RB Taijay Spears, RB Hassan Haskins, RB Julius Chesnut, RB Jonathan Ward, RB Chuck McClelland.

Off-season developments: After training in Dallas early in the offseason, Henry spent most of the offseason in Nashville, attending OTAs and minicamps. Henry said he wanted to speed up OC Tim Kelly’s offense, and he took advantage of the opportunity. The Titans selected Spears in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the rookie had a great offseason. McClelland was signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent after the NFL Draft and has been in workouts alongside Haskins, Chestnut and Ward. Meanwhile, the Titans hired Justin Outen as run game coordinator and running backs coach after Tony Deuce turned tight end coach. Dontrell Hilliard and Trenton Cannon have not re-signed and remain free agents.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Henry. Henry always seems to be the center of attention. This is what happens when you’re the main running back for a team that loves to run football. Henry, now 29, will once again face questions about whether he can keep that form going into the season, or how much the offense can rely on him in 2023. Henry is a self-motivated player who is always trying to do the best he can. To help his team, then you can be sure he’s ready to play his part when the season kicks off in New Orleans on September 10th.

Featured Battles: Haskins vs Chestnut vs Ward. Henry and Spears are thought to be capable of getting a one-two punch out of the backfield in 2023, but there are many more spots available. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Haskins is a beefy back that coaches like and who can show off his physicality on special teams. But the fact that off-field events are tied to his name cannot be ignored. I love the look of Ward in the offseason, and I certainly remember his big play in Jacksonville late in Week 17. Chestnut has his year of experience and benefited from last year’s experience. The team will probably leave two of the three in this group.

Keep an eye on: spear. The versatile Spears faced all sorts of questions about his health after the draft, but those faded into the background after attending OTAs and minicamps. Spears was one of the team’s offseason standouts, showing the change and speed that made him such an exciting player during his time at Tulane. The Titans will give Spears a chance in training camp and preseason games. It should give fans a glimpse of what’s to come during the regular season.

next: Attack team.