Titans Sign Veteran RB D’Ernest Johnson: What to Know

Tennessee has added another experienced option to its crowded backfield, signing D’Ernest Johnson to a one-year contract.

The Tennessee Titans already have plenty of uncertainty surrounding their running back room, and the team has now added another veteran to the competition.

According to Jordan Schultz, Tennessee is signing running back and special teams contributor D’Ernest Johnson to a one-year deal.

Tony Pollard remains the team’s projected starter for now, but he is entering the final year of his contract. Behind him, the Titans have players such as Tyjae Spears, rookie Nick Singleton and others who could eventually compete for a larger role.

Johnson appears to provide additional depth, although his arrival could become more important with Singleton and Kalel Mullings having missed multiple practices.

Pollard has also been sidelined recently, but Paul Kuharsky reported that the veteran running back is expected to return to practice. Johnson’s signing does not appear to threaten Pollard’s position on the depth chart.

Johnson enters Tennessee with more than 1,000 career rushing yards, over 50 receptions for more than 400 receiving yards and more than 900 career return yards.

D’Ernest Johnson Brings Journeyman Experience

At 30 years old, Johnson is only a year older than Pollard but brings considerably more experience as a role player and special teams contributor.

His career has largely consisted of moving between teams while filling complementary roles. Johnson originally entered the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and has since become a reliable veteran capable of stepping into a variety of situations.

Most recently, Johnson played for the New England Patriots after joining the team late in October. He appeared in seven games and recorded just 13 carries for 25 yards. He was not involved in the passing game and had five kickoff return attempts.

His previous season was considerably more productive.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Johnson appeared in 14 games and recorded 143 rushing yards. He also finished with 96 receiving yards, nearly giving him 100 yards both on the ground and through the air.

Johnson Could Become a Valuable Insurance Policy

Johnson’s likely role with Tennessee is relatively straightforward.

He is not expected to challenge Pollard for the starting job or immediately become a major part of the offense. Instead, the veteran gives the Titans another dependable option who can step in if injuries affect the running back rotation.

With several of Tennessee’s younger backs currently dealing with missed practices, that insurance could prove useful.

Johnson could also contribute on special teams, giving the Titans another way to utilize him even if his offensive snaps remain limited.

Fans probably should not expect Johnson to receive significant touches under normal circumstances. However, if injuries continue to affect the backfield, his experience could quickly make him more important than initially anticipated.

For a team dealing with uncertainty at running back this close to the regular season, adding a veteran with Johnson’s versatility is a sensible move.