Titans Add Depth After Preseason Workouts: D’Ernest Johnson Signs as Running-Back Insurance, Five Others Audition

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. The workout list and what it signals
4. D’Ernest Johnson: career arc and why the Titans signed him
5. Brief profiles: the other workout participants
6. Reading the roster tea leaves: what the Titans’ backfield situation likely looks like
7. Why teams audition multiple linebackers at once
8. The practice-squad pathway and how journeymen sustain careers
9. Special-teams competence often decides the final cut
10. Evaluative criteria coaches use during workouts and short-term signings
11. The decision timeline: from workout to signing to gameday activation
12. Broader roster-management implications
13. Case studies: how veteran additions have shaped past seasons
14. What Tennessee’s coaching staff will likely watch during Johnson’s first weeks
15. How fans should interpret late-August roster moves
16. The human side: what the signing means for D’Ernest Johnson
17. What to watch next in Tennessee’s roster process
18. Wider implications for team-building strategies
19. How common is this sort of late-camp signing?
20. Long-term outlook: what this means for Tennessee’s season
21. Closing thoughts on workouts and roster fluidity
22. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Tennessee hosted six players for workouts; running back D’Ernest Johnson was signed after the tryout to bolster the backfield.
• The group included multiple linebackers and a pair of running backs, reflecting Tennessee’s search for depth, special-teams contributors, and experienced short-term options ahead of the regular season.
• Johnson’s signing continues a familiar NFL pattern: veteran journeymen move between practice squads and short-term deals, providing plug-and-play depth and special-teams value when rosters thin.

Introduction

Late-summer workouts remain one of the most consequential but least visible roster-management tools in the NFL. Teams bring a steady stream of free agents through facility doors to audition for short-term needs, special-teams snaps, or practice-squad depth. The Tennessee Titans’ latest session, reported on the NFL transaction wire, followed that familiar script: six players took part in a Wednesday workout, and one—running back D’Ernest Johnson—left with a contract.

The list of visitors blended young depth options and experienced journeymen. While workouts rarely make headlines, they often determine how teams survive the attrition of training camp and the early regular season. Tennessee’s decision to sign Johnson provides a lens into how franchises balance immediate roster needs with budget constraints and strategic considerations. It also illustrates the modern NFL’s revolving-door labor market, where reliable veterans sustain careers by staying ready for last-minute opportunities.

This article examines who the Titans brought in, why Johnson earned a contract, what each visitor offers, and how these maneuvers fit into roster construction, special-teams planning, and Tennessee’s immediate outlook heading into the season. The analysis draws on the players’ career arcs and the operational realities that drive late-summer signings.

The workout list and what it signals

Tennessee’s workout group included: RB Coleman Bennet, LB Reid Carrico, LB Milo Eifler, RB D’Ernest Johnson, LB Dyontae Johnson, and LB Charlie Thomas. For teams that juggle injuries and evaluate options before trimming to the 53-man roster, such a mix is standard: a pair of running backs and several linebackers. That combination points to two clear priorities—reinforcing the running-back room and assessing linebacker/injury insurance and special-teams depth.

Workouts serve several discrete purposes. Teams evaluate physical condition and medical status, assess scheme fit, and verify that a player can contribute on special teams. They also provide a low-cost, low-risk way to audition players before committing roster spots or practice-squad positions. For the Titans, bringing in multiple LBs alongside two RBs suggests coaching staff interest in competition and contingency plans. If injuries or performance issues arise during the final preseason slate, the organization wants candidates on hand who can step into limited roles.

The presence of multiple linebackers, in particular, is a frequent preseason theme. Linebackers who can play on special teams and handle multiple packages often claim the final roster spots when offenses look deeper and defensive rosters thin. The running backs invited reflect similar thinking: teams retain lead backs and complementary pieces, but the extra carries, pass protection downs, and special-teams duties require dependable backups.

D’Ernest Johnson’s conversion of a workout into a contract also demonstrates how urgency and fit determine outcomes. A team may invite half a dozen players but sign the one who best matches an immediate need—in Johnson’s case, short-yardage reliability, familiarity with NFL systems, and special-teams readiness likely mattered more than long-term upside. Teams rarely sign a veteran to a long-term deal at this stage; instead, they acquire experienced players who can assimilate quickly and contribute in narrow roles.

D’Ernest Johnson: career arc and why the Titans signed him

D’Ernest Johnson’s NFL journey typifies the resilient, journeyman profile that franchises find attractive late in camp. Undrafted out of South Florida in 2019, Johnson initially signed with the Cleveland Browns and persisted through a series of short-term deals and practice-squad stints. He logged time with multiple organizations, including the Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens (training camp), Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots’ practice squads. In 2023 he landed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Jaguars and returned to similar one-year deals the following season.

The sequence matters because it shows two attributes—availability and versatility. Teams value players who have stayed within the league’s ecosystem and can assimilate playbooks quickly. Johnson’s 2025 numbers—appearing in eight games, carrying the ball 14 times for 25 yards—reflect limited opportunities but confirm that teams have trusted him to take game snaps across different offenses.

Why would Tennessee sign Johnson now? Multiple tactical reasons explain the move:

• Instant depth and experienced hands: When a primary or backup running back is unavailable or needs rest, teams rely on veterans who know how to carry out simple assignments without disrupting an offense. Johnson’s history in different systems makes him familiar with varied terminology and responsibilities.
• Special teams and situational packages: Many late-season roster additions earn their spots through special-teams contributions. A reliable special-teams performer multiplies a player’s value. Even if a running back’s offensive snaps are few, being active on kick and punt units is often the decisive factor.
• Insurance against injury and performance concerns: Running back is a position with a high injury risk. Adding a veteran with game experience reduces the risk of depth-driven declines early in the season.
• Minimal financial and cap risk: One-year contracts at or near veteran-minimum values allow teams to add experienced depth without significant salary-cap consequences.

The Titans’ signing of Johnson should therefore be interpreted as a pragmatic solution to immediate needs rather than a strategic overhaul. He represents short-term insurance and the ability to handle multiple roles when required.

Brief profiles: the other workout participants

The other players who auditioned—Coleman Bennet (RB), Reid Carrico (LB), Milo Eifler (LB), Dyontae Johnson (LB), and Charlie Thomas (LB)—offered a mix of size, youth, and special-teams potential. Tennessee did not immediately sign these players, but their presence suggests that the coaching staff wanted to evaluate several profiles before making a decision.

• Coleman Bennet (RB): A running back brought in for evaluation, likely to show physical readiness and pass-protection competence. Teams typically audition backs who can contribute on special teams and execute zone or gap schemes without extensive installation time.
• Reid Carrico (LB): A linebacker candidate who may bring special-teams experience or versatility across linebacker packages. Players in this category are often graded on their tackling efficiency, ability to read run/pass flows, and willingness to play on coverage units.
• Milo Eifler (LB): A player with prior NFL experience, Eifler’s presence indicates Tennessee was testing a known commodity who can step into linebacking roles or strengthen the special-teams core. Veteran linebackers who have seen regular-season action are especially valuable late in camp because they reduce the learning curve.
• Dyontae Johnson (LB): Listed as a linebacker in the workout report, this name can create confusion because a player with the same name has played at other positions in past seasons. Regardless, Tennessee evaluated him in the linebacker role, suggesting interest in his tackling profile and scheme fit.
• Charlie Thomas (LB): Another linebacker on the audition list, Thomas likely came to show positional flexibility and special-teams acumen—traits that often swing decisions for final roster spots.

None of these players were signed at the time of the report. Their workouts were part of a broader audition process in which the coaching staff compares tape, practice performance, and medical evaluations before extending offers.

Reading the roster tea leaves: what the Titans’ backfield situation likely looks like

The addition of a veteran like D’Ernest Johnson provides a safety valve for Tennessee’s running-back room. Teams rarely carry more than three or four backs on the 53-man roster, but they need more than the starters when the season begins because injuries are common and game-planning dictates varied roles.

A few roster realities bear highlighting:

• Roster scarcity: With a 53-man limit, carrying additional players at positions like running back requires balancing needs across offense, defense, and special teams. A veteran signed late is typically slotted as the third or fourth running back, and his presence can allow the coaching staff to manage snaps for younger backs.
• Versatility is currency: Running backs who can catch, pass-protect, and block on third-downs earn more opportunities. Coaches search for players who can execute multiple responsibilities without limiting offensive packages.
• Special-teams value: Game-day economics favor players who double as special-teams contributors. If a running back provides kick-coverage reliability or return units, his chance of making the gameday roster increases.
• Short-term economics: One-year deals minimize long-term commitments and cap exposure. Teams can sign a veteran for depth, elevate him for specific games, and release him without amplified financial consequences.

For Tennessee, signing Johnson implies the staff wanted certainty: a player with prior NFL game action who can step onto the field with limited instruction. That certainty is crucial during the season’s early phases and the first wave of injuries.

Why teams audition multiple linebackers at once

The linebacker position has evolved into a multifaceted role. Modern defenses deploy more nickel and dime packages, requiring linebackers to handle coverage responsibilities, blitzing, and edge-setting against the run. As a result, teams look for versatility—players who can shift between inside and outside roles, match tight ends in coverage, and contribute reliably on special teams.

Reasons teams audition multiple linebackers include:

• Replacing injured veterans: Injuries at linebacker can expose a team; multiple auditions create a shortlist of players who can be brought to camp quickly.
• Evaluating special-teams core: Many final roster spots come down to special-teams performance. Linebackers who excel at coverage units, blocking on returns, and striking in the open field are prioritized.
• Competition and scheme fit: Coaches prefer to evaluate players in their own facility, where they can test specific reads, responsibilities, and alignment preferences. If a player struggles to fit the scheme, coaches pivot to the next candidate.
• Financial flexibility: Many linebacker signings are veteran-minimum deals or practice-squad contracts. Teams can shuffle these players based on injuries and performance without creating long-term commitments.

For the Titans, bringing in multiple LBs likely served as both an audition and an insurance policy. If an incumbent linebacker enters the season with a questionable injury history or limited positional versatility, the team needs ready alternatives.

The practice-squad pathway and how journeymen sustain careers

Johnson’s journey—moving among active rosters and practice squads—illustrates a common career trajectory for mid-tier NFL players. Practice squads offer a mechanism for teams to retain players who are developmentally useful or who provide emergency depth. They also provide continuity: a player on a team’s practice squad can be elevated multiple times during a season for game-day needs.

Key features of this pathway:

• Practice squad elevations: Rules permit teams to elevate players from the practice squad on game days a limited number of times per season without subjecting them to waivers. This flexibility lets teams cover short-term injuries without permanently altering the 53-man roster.
• Try-on mentality: For veterans, the practice squad is an audition platform and an employment safety net. A player who performs well in practice can be signed to the active roster or snatched by another team seeking immediate depth.
• Financial trade-offs: Practice-squad pay is lower than active-roster money but provides players with continued exposure and the possibility of elevated earnings if signed to the 53-man roster.
• Mobility: Players who remain physically ready and adaptable move frequently between organizations. Johnson’s timeline—including stints in Cleveland, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Arizona, and New England—illustrates how players maintain careers by seizing opportunities as they arise.

This practical route keeps experienced players connected to the league and allows teams to field a deeper pool of game-ready talent. When injuries happen unexpectedly, teams with experienced players in-house have fewer logistical hurdles to manage.

Special-teams competence often decides the final cut

A player’s special-teams ability often decides whether a late addition makes the roster. When offensive and defensive snaps are largely predetermined for starters and primary backups, coaches allocate final roster spots to players who excel on kickoff, punt, and return coverage units.

Special-teams competence is measured across several dimensions:

• Tackling and form: Coaches value players who can consistently make open-field tackles and maintain disciplined lane responsibilities.
• Blocking and recognition: On returns and blocking assignments, a player’s ability to identify responsibilities and execute assignments under pressure matters.
• Blocking in the run game and blitzing capability: Linebackers and backs who can contribute to both phases enhance their longevity.
• Willingness and mental toughness: The grind of special teams—frequent collisions, high-speed plays, and less glamour—requires a certain temperament. Coaches note players who volunteer for such roles and perform consistently.

D’Ernest Johnson’s trajectory suggests he offers the combination of experience and toughness teams seek. Even when offensive snaps are rare, his willingness to contribute on special teams likely played a central role in Tennessee’s decision.

Evaluative criteria coaches use during workouts and short-term signings

When teams host workouts, coaching staffs and front offices look for measurable traits and intangible fit. The evaluation spans physical condition, mental acuity, and veteran traits. The most common criteria include:

• Physical readiness: Is the player in game shape? Can he complete conditioning and demonstrate reliable movement patterns?
• Medical clarity: Teams request medical exams and need assurances that prior injuries are under control.
• Positional technique: For linebackers, that includes pad level, tackling angles, and coverage footwork. For running backs, coaches watch footwork between the tackles, burst, and ball security.
• Special-teams suitability: Can the player thrive in coverage units? Does he have the speed and tackling range necessary?
• Football IQ: Can the player process play calls and alignments quickly? This ability reduces installation time.
• Locker-room fit and professionalism: Teams weigh a player’s attitude, leadership, and offseason habits. Veteran presences who enhance culture can have added appeal.
• Cost-benefit analysis: Front offices calculate whether a player’s expected contribution justifies the roster spot and salary. Late-August signings usually come with minimal financial risk.

A positive evaluation in these areas can lead to a contract—typically a one-year deal that provides immediate depth without long-term commitment. That pattern aligns with Tennessee’s choice to sign Johnson after his workout.

The decision timeline: from workout to signing to gameday activation

Once a workout concludes, the team’s decision-making process follows a familiar cadence: medical checks, scheme-fit evaluation, internal discussions, and contract offer. The timeline can range from hours to several days, depending on urgency and injury context.

• Immediate needs spur quick offers: If the roster hole is urgent—perhaps a recent injury or an expected missed practice—the team will expedite medical checks and offer a contract quickly.
• Planned depth additions allow for deliberation: When teams are actively trimming rosters or contemplating practice-squad allocations, they may use several workouts to form a ranked list before signing.
• Preseason performance impacts activation: If a player is signed, his path to gameday activation involves practice reps, special-teams assignments, and potential preseason game action. Coaches watch for consistency and the ability to retain assignments through the loud, fast environment of preseason games.
• Roster churn continues through the season: Even after signing, players like Johnson remain subject to waiver rules and potential release. Their immediate objective is to secure a role that justifies retaining them on game day.

Tennessee’s move to sign Johnson after he worked out suggests either an immediate need in the running back room or a high degree of confidence in his ability to assimilate quickly into the playbook.

Broader roster-management implications

Short-term signings and late workouts reveal how organizations balance competing roster priorities. A few broad implications:

• Depth versus potential: Teams must weigh a veteran’s immediate reliability against a younger player's developmental upside. Veterans often win in the short term because they reduce immediate risk; younger players may provide higher long-term returns but create uncertainty.
• Behavioral and cultural fit: Coaches prefer players who demonstrate professionalism and reliability. The ability to do what’s asked on special teams and in limited offensive or defensive roles garners trust.
• Market signals and league-wide patterns: When a team signs a veteran, other teams take note. The signing can either signal an internal injury concern or the conclusion that the veteran was a better fit than available in-house options.
• Financial prudence: Low-cost veteran additions are attractive; they allow small-budget flexibility for later in the season when injuries spike and roster decisions become reactive.

For the Titans, adding Johnson represents a practical decision geared toward risk mitigation. It doesn’t alter their strategic blueprint but reduces the chance that an early-season injury to a primary back will force an emergency personnel move.

Case studies: how veteran additions have shaped past seasons

Historical examples underscore why teams pursue veteran depth late in camp. Two illustrative case studies:

• James White (New England Patriots): Undrafted running backs often find niches as role players who contribute heavily on third downs and special teams. White’s evolution into a reliable third-down back and pass-catching outlet demonstrates the value of a dependable veteran who understands situational football and roster expectations.
• Kenyan Drake (multiple teams): Drake’s midseason acquisitions for several teams showed how a veteran running back can invigorate a stagnant offense and provide a short-term performance boost. Teams value players who can step into familiar roles without extensive installation.

Both cases underline the upside that veteran backs can provide: situational production, pass-catching reliability, and special-teams contributions. Tennessee’s signing of Johnson fits within this broader league pattern.

What Tennessee’s coaching staff will likely watch during Johnson’s first weeks

After signing, Johnson will face a short audition period where performance in practice and special-teams drills determines his role. Staff will focus on:

• Ball security during contact: Fumbles and turnovers are career killers for backups; coaches value players who protect the football.
• Pass protection competence: Even a backup must show the ability to pick up blitzes and execute blocking assignments.
• Special-teams execution: Coaches track lane discipline, tackling form, and coverage assignments on kick and punt units.
• Running between the tackles: For late-game and short-yardage situations, reliability to get positive yardage matters more than home-run speed.
• Mental processing and coaching responses: Players who correct mistakes quickly and display an understanding of the playbook earn trust.

Successful showings in these areas could result in Johnson seeing the gameday 46 (or 48/active depending on rules) designation or securing a stable practice-squad position with periodic elevations.

How fans should interpret late-August roster moves

Fans frequently interpret late signings as either a sign of panic or prudence. The correct interpretation depends on context, but a disciplined reading favors pragmatism:

• Immediate insurance: Teams often add a veteran to cover an injury risk or to augment special teams. These moves do not necessarily forecast long-term changes to the core roster.
• Low-cost experimentation: When teams test several similar players, they are identifying fit rather than investing heavily. That reflects responsible roster management.
• Depth prioritization: Teams with high ambitions prefer to enter the season with experienced backups who can absorb early-season turbulence.

For Titans fans, Johnson’s signing should reduce worry about backfield depth while signaling that the coaching staff is actively managing the roster to mitigate injury exposure. It is not a headline-grabbing addition, but it addresses a practical need.

The human side: what the signing means for D’Ernest Johnson

The NFL’s journeyman narrative is often underappreciated. For players like Johnson, each workout and subsequent signing represents both livelihood and vindication. The league’s structure—short-term deals, practice-squad rules, and a high rate of personnel turnover—makes readiness a central virtue.

Consider the career arc:

• Undrafted entry demands resilience: Going undrafted often forces players into a perpetual audition mentality. Success requires not only physical ability but adaptability and mental robustness.
• Practice squads as lifelines: The practice squad allows players to remain engaged with NFL operations, receive coaching, and earn the chance to be elevated for game action.
• Short-term deals as both risk and opportunity: One-year contracts are precarious but offer the chance for game-day contributions that can lead to longer-term stability.

For Johnson, the contract from Tennessee extends that arc. It provides immediate employment, another chance to play, and the possibility of meaningful game contributions. For many players, such opportunities define a career more than headline-making free-agent signings do.

What to watch next in Tennessee’s roster process

Over the coming days and weeks, several indicators will clarify Johnson’s role and the status of the other auditioned players:

• Practice participation reports: Frequency and intensity of Johnson’s snaps, particularly on special teams, will reveal the staff’s confidence in him.
• Preseason game usage: Even a few carries or special-teams snaps in preseason games can demonstrate fit and readiness.
• Transaction activity: Further signings or releases at linebacker and running back will signal whether Johnson’s arrival was a single move or part of broader roster adjustments.
• Coaching comments: Public remarks—though often circumspect—can identify whether the signing addresses an injury or reflects a deeper strategic choice.

Fans should follow daily practice reports and gameday active lists to trace Johnson’s trajectory from signing to potential game impact.

Wider implications for team-building strategies

This signing also touches on broader team-building questions frequently debated by front offices and analysts:

• Prioritizing experience versus upside: Teams must decide whether to carry a veteran who likely delivers a known quantity or a younger player with higher but uncertain upside. Tennessee’s move favors experience for immediate readiness.
• Balancing special-teams competence and offensive/defensive depth: The team that chooses special-teams contributors for final roster slots gains steadiness in less glamorous but crucial aspects of the game.
• Managing salary-cap efficiency: Low-cost veteran additions allow teams to preserve financial flexibility for in-season needs, including injury replacements or midseason acquisitions.
• Emphasizing culture fit: Coaches often say they sign players who fit their culture; this intangible can sway decisions between comparably skilled candidates.

Tennessee’s approach in this instance underscores a conservative, depth-first philosophy designed to weather the inevitable rigors of a long season.

How common is this sort of late-camp signing?

Late-August workouts and subsequent signings are commonplace across the league. Teams average several such transactions each preseason as they compute depth needs and manage injuries. The practice-squad system and waiver processes make it easy for veterans to move between teams, and organizations without clear in-house depth favor signing known quantities.

The pattern is visible across recent seasons: teams frequently add veteran backs, linebackers, and special-teams standouts late in training camp. These players often contribute in the first months of the season and, in some cases, secure more durable roles through dependable performance.

D’Ernest Johnson’s signing fits that pattern. It exemplifies how teams source short-term solutions from an experienced talent pool to minimize disruption when injuries or performance shortfalls arise.

Long-term outlook: what this means for Tennessee’s season

Over the short term, Johnson’s presence gives Tennessee a more well-rounded backfield roster and a dependable special-teams option. He can hold the fort when starters see limited snaps or when matchups demand specific skill sets.

Long-term effects depend on several contingencies:

• Injuries: If the Titans’ primary backs remain healthy and productive, Johnson may remain depth or cycle through practice-squad elevations. If injuries strike, he becomes a day-to-day contributor.
• Performance in practice and preseason: Exceptional displays could earn him regular-season snaps; poor showings could relegate him to the street.
• Organizational adjustments: Additional roster moves—trading, waiving, or signing other players—could reposition Johnson’s role.

From a strategic standpoint, the signing stabilizes Tennessee’s short-term contingency planning without making sweeping changes to the roster or its longer-term construction.

Closing thoughts on workouts and roster fluidity

The NFL offseason and preseason are periods of intense fluidity. Teams manage a dynamic labor market, matching immediate needs to available talent. Workouts and short-term signings fill crucial operational gaps. They also reveal whether a team prioritizes stability or upside entering the season.

Tennessee’s selection of D’Ernest Johnson after a group workout is neither surprising nor revolutionary. It is, however, emblematic of a league where readiness and reliability win opportunities. For the players auditioning, each workout represents a potential lifeline; for teams, each invite offers a catalog of practical choices. The net result is a roster population that continuously evolves to reflect the demands of competition, injury, and game-day strategy.

FAQ

Q: Who attended the Titans’ workout, and who was signed? A: Six players participated: RB Coleman Bennet, LB Reid Carrico, LB Milo Eifler, RB D’Ernest Johnson, LB Dyontae Johnson, and LB Charlie Thomas. Tennessee signed running back D’Ernest Johnson following the workout.

Q: What is D’Ernest Johnson’s NFL background? A: Johnson went undrafted out of South Florida in 2019 and initially signed with the Cleveland Browns. He later had one-year deals and practice-squad stints with teams including the Jaguars, Ravens (training camp), Cardinals, and Patriots. He appeared in eight games across the Cardinals and Patriots in 2025, rushing 14 times for 25 yards. He also signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Jaguars for the 2023 season.

Q: Why do teams bring multiple linebackers and running backs in for workouts? A: Teams use workouts to assess physical condition, medical status, scheme fit, and special-teams capability. Evaluating several players at the same position creates a shortlist and provides immediate alternatives if injuries occur or if incumbents underperform.

Q: Will Johnson be a starter for the Titans? A: Johnson is more likely to serve as depth and special-teams insurance. One-year signings at this stage typically address immediate roster needs rather than indicate a starting role, unless injuries or exceptional performance change the situation.

Q: How do practice-squad and short-term signings work? A: Practice squads allow teams to keep game-ready players in-house. Teams can elevate practice-squad players for game days a limited number of times or sign veterans to one-year deals for active-roster depth. Financial and waiver implications vary by contract type.

Q: What should fans watch to see whether Johnson earns playing time? A: Monitor practice reports, preseason game snaps, special-teams assignments, and gameday active lists. Consistent excellence on special teams and reliability in pass protection and ball security accelerate chances for elevation.

Q: Are these kinds of signings common? A: Yes. Late-August workouts and subsequent signings are routine league activity. Teams frequently add veteran backs and linebackers to shore up depth, particularly as they trim rosters and prepare for the regular season.

Q: What do these moves say about Tennessee’s roster strategy? A: The signing signals a preference for immediate, reliable depth and special-teams competence. It reflects prudent roster management aimed at minimizing early-season disruption rather than a long-term strategic shift.

Q: Could Johnson be released quickly? A: Yes. One-year veteran signings late in camp are typically low-risk for teams. His tenure depends on performance, injuries to teammates, and broader roster adjustments.