NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In his first year with the Tennessee Titans, running back Tony Pollard reached career highs — 1,079 rushing yards and 260 carries.

Normally, that’s considered a win for a franchise, especially when that player joined the team on a moderately priced free agent contract (three years, $24 million). But Pollard carried the ball more than twice as much as Tyjae Spears (84), who was supposed to be part of a dual attack after the Titans lost All-Pro Derrick Henry to the Baltimore Ravens via free agency.

Titans coach Brian Callahan is hoping for a more balanced approach in Year 2.

“In a perfect world, it’s a healthier division of labor [between Pollard and Spears],” Callahan said. “I like really both of those players a lot. I think we can do a better job of managing that load so they both play a little more evenly and allows us to maybe have a spot for a third back between [Julius Chestnut] and [Kalel Mullings], a heavier style back and runner.”

Managing the workload for each back is essential in keeping them healthy and functioning at peak performance. The distribution of carries last season became imbalanced because of injuries.

As a rookie, Spears appeared in all 17 games in 2023 while playing alongside Henry. Spears rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught 52 passes for 385 yards and a touchdown.

Spears missed five games last season because of two concussions, an ankle sprain and a hamstring injury. He was expected to contribute in the passing and running games, but he was limited to 114 touches.

“I’ve done a lot of reflecting in the last year and learned that I can fight adversity really well,” Spears said. “My confidence is building. I’m just taking it one day at a time and being the best I can be right now.”

Last season’s finale gave a glimpse of what Spears can be in Callahan’s offense. Spears carried the ball 20 times for a career-high 95 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. When healthy, Spears, who scored four touchdowns in the final three games last year, presents an electric backfield option.

Callahan acknowledged that last year was a challenge for Spears professionally and personally. But Callahan praised Spears for his offseason work.

“I’ve been really pleased with where Tyjae is at,” Callahan said. “His personal growth has been outstanding. I’m really excited to see what he can bring to us this year because he’s been in a great place and has had a really nice offseason.”

Spears wasn’t the only one who was injured. Pollard dealt with an ankle sprain toward the end of the year, but he missed only one game. Pollard, 28, said he took a more aggressive approach to training this offseason. He said he took some time off initially in the offseason to allow his ankle to heal, but he is good to go.

“I feel great,” Pollard said. “Just knowing that being older, being a little bit of a veteran in this league, you got to keep your body in shape so when it’s time to get back on, you’re ready.”

Pollard is no stranger to playing in a joint backfield. He has shared carries dating to his college days at Memphis with current free agent Darrell Henderson Jr. The shared touches continued in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, who deployed Pollard as a change-of-pace back to Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott in the first three years of Pollard’s career. He led the team with 1,007 rushing yards in 2022, their final season together.

Ironically, Pollard’s two highest yards-per-carry seasons came while sharing touches with Elliott. Pollard had 193 carries in 2022 but averaged 5.2 yards per attempt, and he had a career-high 5.5 yards per carry on 130 attempts in 2021.

If Callahan can reduce Pollard’s carries to around 200, that could mean an additional 60 carries for Spears.

There’s the balance.

And as Callahan said, some of the distribution will include a third back — either Chestnut or seventh-round pick Mullings.

OTAs and minicamp offered a glimpse of what it could look like. Callahan had Pollard and Spears alternating series. Chestnut was sprinkled in as well, while Mullings spent most of the time recovering from core surgery before getting some snaps in minicamp.

There’s only so much that can be gathered in the run game without pads. But the running backs appeared quick and showed some burst as they got to the second level of the defense. Spears and Pollard made sure they ran to the end zone almost every time they touched the ball.

With training camp less than a month away, the rushing attack is something to consider when projecting the Titans’ offense. And it could take some pressure off the quarterback, especially if it’s No. 1 pick Cameron Ward seeing his first NFL action.