How RB Julius Chestnut earned a place on the Titans 53-man roster
Cut day around the NFL always brings around a few surprising roster moves. In Tennessee, none were more surprising than rookie running back Julius Chestnut earning a spot on the Tennessee Titans53-man roster. Chestnut signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent in May of 2022 out of Sacred Heart University. If he appears […]
Cut day around the NFL always brings around a few surprising roster moves. In Tennessee, none were more surprising than rookie running back Julius Chestnut earning a spot on the Tennessee Titans53-man roster.
Chestnut signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent in May of 2022 out of Sacred Heart University. If he appears in a game for the Titans, he will become just the second player in history to play in the NFL out of Sacred Heart (Jon Corto).
Entering camp, Chestnut's chances to make the roster seemed non-existent. He was sitting behind Derrick Henry, Dontrell Hilliard, 4th round rookie Hassan Haskins, and return specialist Trenton Cannon. Even opportunities in practice were scarce at times.
As things progressed, however, Chestnut began earning more reps in camp. The Titans moved Cannon to primarily working with the special teams unit, and with Henry out of live team drills, Chestnut had a chance to show what he could do.
Despite fumbling on the second possession of the preseason, Chestnut rebounded well, finishing the preseason with 26 carries, 106 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. He also caught three passes and made one tackle on special teams.
Even with a strong showing in the preseason, it was hard to see where Chestnut's place on the active roster was.
He seemed like a lock for the Titans' practice squad, but Tory Carter was also going to make the team as the fullback, and it didn't seem realistic for the team to keep five running backs on the 53-man roster.
Jon Robinson had other ideas.
The news broke on Tuesday afternoon as cuts were being made. Chestnut had been informed by the Titans that he was not one of them.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson spoke to the media following Wednesday's practice and detailed what went into the decision to give Chestnut a spot on the team:
"He ran hard, he ran tough, he played good on special teams," Robinson said of Chestnut. "He actually caught the ball better than I thought he would. Anything we asked him to do, he didn't have a whole lot of mental errors.We didn't know if we could get him through waivers, but he also earned an opportunity on team."
Chestnut, on the other hand, is relieved, but not satisfied. He told media on Wednesday that he called his parents to share the good news with them, and is now focused on getting better on the field.
Chestnut's immediate role will come as a member of the special teams unit, something he says he's ready to embrace.
Regardless of where he is on the field week one, it's a great first step for the most surprising member of the Titans 53-man roster.
Image via Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
