Cody Barton and Cedric Gray entered training camp as the answer at linebacker for Robert Saleh’s new-look Tennessee Titans defense. Second-round rookie Anthony Hill Jr. also impressed early, and James Williams Sr. flashed speed heading into his third NFL season, but it was Gray who carried the most momentum into 2026 after the way he closed out last season.
The 2024 fourth-round pick started all 16 games in 2025 and led Tennessee with 160 tackles, a total that ranked fifth in the NFL. It also tied for the second-most tackles by a Titans defender since 2000. He added 15 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for loss, four passes defended and a fumble recovery.
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That kind of production made Gray one of the most trusted pieces on Tennessee’s defense, and the expectation was for him to keep building on it alongside Barton under Saleh’s staff. Instead, the Titans are dealing with a setback at linebacker just days before their regular-season opener against the Jets.
Cedric Gray Enters NFL’s Concussion Protocol
The Titans announced Monday that Gray is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The 23-year-old was involved in a UTV accident in Tennessee over the weekend, sustaining a concussion along with minor injuries. Tennessee confirmed the news in a statement addressing his condition just days before kickoff.
“Over the weekend, Cedric Gray was involved in a UTV accident in Tennessee and sustained a concussion and minor injuries. We look forward to Cedric returning to the field soon and in full health when he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol.”
Clearing the protocol is a gradual process as Gray will first need to limit any activity that could worsen his symptoms before progressing to non-contact work, and an independent neurological consultant assigned to the team must sign off before he can return to game action.
With Barton, Hill Jr. and Williams Sr. still in the room, the Titans won’t be short on bodies at linebacker, but replacing the kind of production Gray gave them last season won’t be simple.
Tennessee opens the 2026 season Sunday against the Jets at Nissan Stadium, with kickoff set for noon in Nashville.
