Last week, the Tennessee Titans had to face the New York Jets without linebacker Cedric Gray, who was forced to miss the game after suffering a concussion in a UTV accident and was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Now, after a full week of practice, Gray is set to make his 2026 debut against the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Saturday, Gray took the next step toward that goal by passing all testing and clearing the protocol. He now has no game-day designation and should start at linebacker next to rookie Anthony Hill Jr., giving the Titans’ defense a huge boost in this matchup.
.@Titans LB Cedric Gray has cleared concussion protocol and has no injury designation ahead of tomorrow's contest.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 19, 2026
While Hill had a breakout game against the Jets, the game showed
Tennessee needs a healthy Gray to lead its linebacking corps. The Titans’ leading tackler in 2025 brings a different mindset, and his sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability should be an upgrade over Cody Barton, who looked tentative and struggled on the outside against the Jets.
While Robert Saleh hasn’t made any declaration about the linebacking corps heading into their Week 2 matchup beyond inserting Hill into the starting lineup after his breakout 16-tackle game, it would be a good bet that Gray lines up next to him when the starters hit the field.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans' Cedric Gray clears concussion protocol, will return in Week 2
