Roster Move Creates Opening for Third Running Back

Rod Smith released a little more than a month after he was signed

NASHVILLE – Rod Smith never managed to carve out a role for himself with the Tennessee Titans offense. Now, he doesn’t have a job at all.

The Tennessee Titans waived the veteran running back Tuesday.

Smith appeared in the past three games as a special teams performer and made one tackle. He never got a single snap for the offense. The Titans signed him as a free agent on Oct. 8 and he sat out two games with an injury before he debuted for them.

A fifth-year veteran, he appeared in 49 games with Seattle and Dallas from 2015-18 and spent time this summer with the New York Giants. His versatility – 364 career rushing yards, 272 career receiving yards – and some experience as a fullback interested the Titans, who have auditioned multiple players as the third running back this season.

Smith’s release leaves just two running backs, Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis, on the active roster. Dalyn Dawkins is currently on the practice squad but has spent time on the active roster this season as well.

Also Tuesday, tackle Daniel Munyer was re-signed to the practice squad. Munyer originally was added to the practice squad on Oct. 8, the same day Smith was signed, but was released last week in one of several moves the Titans made at once.

Tennessee (5-5) is on its bye week. Its next game is Nov. 24 against Jacksonville.