State of the Titans Roster: Running Back

We are currently working our way through the state of the Titans roster. The first installment of the series featured the quarterbacks. Today we look at the running backs.

This time last year the running back position was thought to be the strength of the team. Chris Johnson was fresh off setting the league on fire for his first three seasons. We knew he was going to holdout, but no one thought it would be much of a problem as long as he was on the field in week 1.

Fast forward a year and a terrible season for CJ, and now there are as many questions surrounding the running backs as just about any other position on the roster.

Click through the jump for a more in-depth look at the running backs currently on the roster.

CHRIS JOHNSON
Age: 26 (turns 27 in September)
Contract: Entering the second year of a six-year contract worth $55.26 million. $10 million base salary for 2013 that is guaranteed.

This is a big year for CJ. There were some rumors out there that the Titans could cut him before this season, but anyone that was really paying attention knew that was stupid. They aren't going to cut him after year 2 either, but that third year will be a big one. After year three is the first chance the Titans would have to move on from him without a lot of dead money.

JAVON RINGER
Age: 25
Contract: Entering the last year of his rookie contract. Will be an UFA after this season.

This is an audition year for Ringer. He has shown the ability to make some plays, but most people don't believe that he is a feature back in the NFL. Odds are he will be playing somewhere else in 2013 unless he has a huge 2012.

JAMIE HARPER
Age: 22 (turns 23 in September)
Contract: Entering the second year of his 4-year rookie deal

It will be interesting to see if Harper makes strides from year one to year two. He showed some flashes in the preseason last year, but it is hard to see him as anything more than a third running back or a full back at this point.

HERB DONALDSON
Age: 26
Contract: Signed a futures deal in January

Donaldson will be in camp again this year, but odds are he won't end up on the roster. They might want to keep him around on the practice squad again because he has shown some promise in preseason.

The Titans will also bring Darius Reynaud and Darryl Whiting to camp. Neither of those guys will be around for very long.