nfl

Tennessee Titans coach has blunt assessment of Hassan Haskins in RB3 battle

08-18-2024
2 min read
Casey Gower-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans have three running backs competing for one or two spots on the running backs depth chart behind Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard, with the group consisting of Hassan Haskins, Julius Chestnut and Jabari Small.

None of the three have been particularly impressive during the offseason and over the first two preseason games, but it also hasn't helped that the blocking from the backup offensive linemen has been lackluster, to say the least, in exhibition play.

After the preseason Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks in which Haskins had the best showing, head coach Brian Callahan gave his assessment on all three backs and noted how both Small and Chestnut have run better than Haskins. However, he also praised Haskins for his work on special teams.

"I think Julius has played well for himself, he's putting himself out there. Played well overall, done all the things we ask the running back to do, so he got the first carries" Callahan said, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. "And then, I think Jabari Small played really well, too, so we've got some competition there.

"And I think (Small and Chestnut) have played probably a little bit better than Hassan at this point, and obviously Hassan is a special teams demon, and that matters too. So, that competition is ongoing and we've got another week to go."

While the part about Small and Chestnut running better certainly isn't great news for Haskins, he has actually been the most consistent ball-carrier over the two preseason games after Chestnut was quiet in Week 1 and Small has been quiet in both contests.

That, along with his special teams prowess, could be enough to put him over the top.