After a quiet debut, rookie Nicholas Singleton could see an expanded workload as injuries thin the backfield, providing the explosive Penn State product a chance to shine.
The Tennessee Titans have had many of their rookies get involved early this year.
Carnell Tate has started every game, as he should, considering he's the No. 4 overall pick. Fernando Carmona won the starting right guard job in the preseason and has started both games for the Titans on the offensive line so far.
Anthony Hill Jr. started the season opener in place of the injured Cedric Gray and impressed with 16 total tackles. Gray returned to the lineup in Week 2, and Hill started alongside him at linebacker with Cody Barton.
Keldric Faulk hasn't started a game for the Titans yet, but he's played in both, recording one tackle in each.
We haven't really seen much from running back Nicholas Singleton yet. Singleton was drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Penn State. Despite a stellar college career, Singleton sustained a foot injury in the Senior Bowl, and his draft stock took a hit.
The Titans played it safe in the offseason with his injury. They made sure that he had plenty of time to recover before playing him in the preseason. Singleton made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Singleton's debut wasn't all that impressive, but Robert Saleh has liked what he's seen from the rookie so far.
At Friday's press conference, Saleh shared that he wants to get Singleton more involved on offense.
"He's doing a really good job," Saleh said. "You know, he got some touches last week. Like I said, he was probably 50/50 on the read, but, you know, to be expected from a young buck. So, hopefully, we get him a couple more. But overall, I think he's going to be a good back. He's going in the right direction."
The potential is there for Singleton.
He left Penn State as the program's leading scorer, with 54 touchdowns throughout his college career. He is also fourth at Penn State among the all-time leading rushers (3,461).
Singleton had to prove himself in a crowded running back room during the preseason. The Titans had Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Singleton, Julius Chestnut, Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings and D'Ernest Johnson.
The only running backs the Titans kept on their 53-man roster were Pollard, Spears, Chestnut and Singleton.
There is a unique opportunity for Singleton in Week 3 as the Titans take on the New York Giants.
Pollard and Spears both appeared on the injury report throughout the week due to ankle soreness. Pollard didn't carry an injury designation on Friday, but Spears is still questionable and is a game-time decision.
Spears has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his Titans career and hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2023.
If Spears is ruled out for Sunday's game, it could open the door for Singleton to prove himself and secure a bigger role on offense.
Spears is in the final year of his rookie contract, so the 2026 season is going to be a big one for him.
Singleton has a real chance to prove he belongs in this Titans rushing attack on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon CT on CBS.
