Who Should I Start? Kalel Mullings or Damien Martinez

Sunday, August 10, 11:57 AM

Tennessee Titans rookie running back Kalel Mullings finished with a team-high 33 rushing yards on seven carries in Saturday's preseason-opening 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With starter Tony Pollard receiving limited work (four carries, nine yards) and Tyjae Spears suffering a high-ankle sprain, Mullings ended up serving as the Titans' lead back. Julius Chestnut, who's competing with Mullings, totaled 18 yards on three carries and added one catch for eight yards. A sixth-round pick from Michigan, Mullings ran for 948 yards and six touchdowns on 185 attempts in his last year with the Wolverines in 2024. The 22-year-old could see an increased role during Spears' absence. If Spears isn't able to return by the Titans' season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7, it could be Mullings backing up Pollard. In the meantime, Mullings will try to build on a productive debut in preseason game No. 2 against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.

Saturday, August 16, 10:45 AM

Seattle Seahawks seventh-round rookie running back Damien Martinez received 11 carries in Friday's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Martinez turned those carries into 50 yards and a touchdown. He added two receptions for 14 yards. Martinez is fighting for Seattle's No. 3 running back spot with George Holani, who had a solid game in his own right. Martinez's performance was encouraging after a quiet debut last weekend in which he only recorded 10 yards on six carries. The Seahawks' running game as a whole was humming on Friday night. The success of the running game bodes well for the potential of this team to succeed in 2025.