The Tennesseee Titans have ruled out starting running back Tony Pollard for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Pollard was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report due to an ankle injury, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he planned to play through it. Rather, his absence stems from him dealing with the flu, which will reportedly prevent him from travelling with the team on Saturday.

After arriving from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, Pollard has enjoyed a solid first season in the Music City. In 15 games, the 27-year-old has rushed for 1,017 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He’s also been a decent check-down option with 41 receptions for 238 yards.

With Pollard sidelined, the Titans will look for second-year back Tyjae Spears to carry the load in the backfield. The former Tulane star has had a disappointing sophomore season, rushing for 217 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 3.4 yards per carry, so the Titans will hope to get him going before the season ends.

Joshua Kelley, who hasn’t played for Tennessee since his arrival in late October, could also get some looks as well.

The Titans and Jaguars kick off from EverBank Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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The Tennessee Titans continue to play out the string of the 2024 season with Sunday’s Week 17 game at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tennessee’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis last Sunday was the team’s fourth straight defeat, the last three against teams with a losing record.

Jacksonville (3-12) was one of those losses, with the Jaguars winning 10-6 on Dec. 8 in Nashville. Mac Jones continues to be the team’s starting quarterback as it sputters to the finish.

Here’s how The Tennessean’s experts pick Sunday’s Week 17 NFL game:

OUCH: Grading Tennessee Titans moves in 2024, from Mike Vrabel firing to Will Levis benching

Titans vs. Jaguars picks

Nick Suss, Titans beat reporter

Titans 27, Jaguars 13

Yes, it’s a little bit crazy to think these Titans can beat anyone by 14 points. But look: They had ample opportunities to beat Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. The Titans’ offense has looked better in the red zone these past two weeks, and if they can actually finish off some of the drives they stalled in last time, this should be a winnable game. 

Gentry Estes, columnist

Jaguars 17, Titans 10

The Jags may not have much, but their pass rushers were a problem for the Titans last time. No reason to expect that’ll be any different.

Nick Gray, trending reporter

Jaguars 6, Titans 3

Nothing would surprise me, except a clean, flawless Titans victory.

Tom Kreager, sports director

Jaguars 28, Titans 17

Titans are doing their part to help themselves with their 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Starting in 2025, bartenders and servers in Tennessee will be required to take part in trainings with the goal to make everybody feel safe while out on the town.

“Requirement for these server permits to holders to be trained in understanding the role of alcohol and sexual assault and harassment and recognizing the role of drugs and assault and strategies that can hopefully help prevent patron drugging and establishments,” Russell Thomas, the Executive Director of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission said.

The trainings will teach servers what signs to look out for, as well as what they need to do whenever they notice something that doesn’t look right.

“To identify people that might be in distress or how to deal with conflict resolution as far as customers being inside your establishment and needing some assistance to feel safe,” Yee-Haw Brewery General Manager Charles Ellis said.

Places such as Yee-Haw Brewery have a safe bar initiative. This means they train their staff to look out for those signs and have measures in place for anybody who feels unsafe at the bar.

“All of our staff has been trained on how to spot somebody in need of assistance,” Ellis said. “If there seems kind of fishy, or if they need some help with some domestic issues, we’re trained to be able to help them out.”

One of the big changes this year will be the length of how long one can hold a serving license. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission says instead of every five years, they will need to renew every two years.

“By increasing the frequency of training that would increase the focus on preventing some of these things from occurring,” Thomas said.

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