Titans add veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson, a source familiar with the agreement told UPI on Wednesday. The signing comes as the Titans' backfield has been hit by injuries during training camp.
Johnson, 30, split last season between the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and Baltimore Ravens. He totaled 14 touches for 25 yards and returned five kickoffs for 128 yards as a special teamer.
The seven-year veteran, who spent his first four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and the 2023 and 2024 campaigns with the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaled a career-high 671 yards from scrimmage and three scores off 119 touches in 2021 for the Browns. Over the first 103 appearances of his NFL career, Johnson has totaled 1,479 yards from scrimmage and three scores.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Johnson brings more than 1,000 career rushing yards, 50-plus receptions for over 400 yards, and over 900 career return yards to Tennessee. Johnson's best NFL season came in Cleveland in 2021, when he rushed for 534 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry, including a 146-yard, one-touchdown performance in his first career start.
Super Bowl role highlights special teams value
Johnson joined the Patriots' practice squad on Oct. 29, 2025, after previous stops in Cleveland, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Arizona. New England elevated him three times in November before promoting him to the 53-man roster in December. His offensive workload was modest, but his value on special teams became increasingly clear, according to Heavy. Johnson finished the regular season with 25 rushing yards and 128 yards on five kickoff returns.
New England released Johnson from the active roster on Jan. 12, then brought him back to the practice squad one day later. He was elevated for all four of the Patriots' postseason games, including Super Bowl LX. In the AFC Championship Game, Johnson handled two kickoffs for 59 yards. In Super Bowl LX — a 29-13 loss to Seattle — he returned four kickoffs for 103 yards, averaging 25.8 yards per return.
Titans' backfield deals with injuries
The Titans entered training camp with six running backs, but injuries have complicated the rotation. Tyjae Spears and Michael Carter were both listed as second-string running backs, behind starter Tony Pollard, on the Titans' first unofficial depth chart for 2026. Julius Chestnut, Kalel Mullings, and Nicholas Singleton were listed as third-string options.
Pollard missed time this week due to a sore foot. Mullings and Singleton also weren't spotted at Monday's session. Titans coach Robert Saleh said he hoped to get some of the running backs back on the field at Wednesday's practice.
Titans team reporter Jim Wyatt noted Monday that Pollard, Singleton, and Mullings all missed practice, leaving the group short on healthy bodies. Pollard and Spears entered camp as Tennessee's set top pairing, with fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton adding another option, and the battle for lower depth chart spots unsettled.
Return game depth
Johnson's addition also bolsters the Titans' return game. Chimere Dike is listed as the Jaguars' primary punt and kick returner, with Mason Kinsey as a second-string punt returner. Carter is listed as the Titans' second kick returner.
The Titans will host the Seattle Seahawks in a preseason matchup at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday in Nashville. They will host the Chicago Bears in their preseason finale Aug. 29 at Nissan Stadium, and will host the New York Jets in their regular season opener Sept. 13 in Nashville.