The Tennessee Titans opened the three-week practice window for rookie linebacker Cedric Gray to return from injured reserve.
The Tennessee Titans are back in the building after their bye week preparing for a Week 6 battle with the Indianapolis Colts.
While all eyes will be on quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow), there will be another player trying to get back from injury that may fly under the radar.
#Titans will open the window for rookie LB Cedric Gray to return from IR today.
Rookie linebacker Cedric Gray will be back on the field after opening the season on injured reserve (IR) due to a shoulder injury. This opens a three-week practice window before the team has to decide his status for the rest of the season.
The fourth-round selection out of North Carolina could add depth to the inside linebacker group if he can return from what was said to be a nerve-related injury.
The Titans have no need to rush Gray back from injury with a solid inside linebacker room headlined by Ernest Jones IV and Kenneth Murray Jr. They also have Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford, Otis Reese IV, and fellow rookie James Williams on their active roster.
An official update on Gray and the other injured Titans players will be on Wednesday when the team releases their first official Week 6 injury report.
Gray compiled one of the most dominant stretches by a UNC defensive player in recent history, recording 100+ tackles in each of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. Gray was First Team All-ACC in both 2022 and 2023, meaning he produced in a unit that otherwise couldn;t.
Sadly for Gray, he’ll have to wait a little longer for his first NFL snaps. On Thursday, Aug. 29, X announced the Gray was making a trip to Injured Reserve, which means he’ll have to miss Tennessee’s first four games (Bears, Jets, Packers, Dolphins.
The Titans obviously want to have Gray healthy and available, but they are a suddenly deep team defensively, headlined by the likes of cornerback L’Jaruis Sneed, safety Quandre Diggs and defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
Tennessee’s situation is perfect. Its roster carries enough NFL veterans so that, when Gray is fully-cleared for football activities, he’ll have a quarter of an entire season to learn.
Keep an eye out on Gray’s situation, which sounds pretty scary. He has a nerve-related issue in his shoulder – and Titans head coach Brian Callahan wants to take the cautious approach.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Tennessee Titans rookie LB Cedric Gray suffered a shoulder injury and has been placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
The Tennessee Titans selected linebacker Cedric Gray out of the University of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. On Wednesday, the Titans announced they would place Gray on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Titans general manager Ran Carthon spoke to the media on Wednesday and said, “I get to break news. According to sources, we will be placing Cedric Gray on IR, designated for return, just to give him the opportunity to get healthy.”
Gray injured his shoulder earlier this month.
“(I) had the conversation with Cedric this morning. He’s one of those guys that you have to protect him from himself because he wants to prove that he wants to be on this team, and he has earned the right to be on this team. With the nature of his injury, we just have to protect him from himself and give him an even longer period to get back healthy for us,” he said.
During his career at UNC, Gray racked up 367 tackles (198 solo), 13 passes defensed, 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and five interceptions.
Gray is young, and it would be best if he healed completely before returning to the field. The Titans have guys like Jack Gibbens, Kenneth Murray, Jr., Otis Reese IV, and James Williams; you can let the rookie heal. Continue to develop his football IQ so that when he does return, he’s even better than before.
The Seattle Seahawks-Tennessee Titans Week 2 NFL Preseason matchup is a must-watch for UNC football fans.
As talented a quarterback Drake Maye is, Sam Howell is the greatest quarterback to don a Tar Heels uniform.
Howell holds 27 schools records at UNC, including career passing yards (10,283) and touchdowns (92). He was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2022, started for them in 2023 and is now competing for the Seattle Seawhawks‘ starting gig after an offseason trade.
North Carolina isn’t particularly known for its defensive unit, yet it continues to churn out individual defensive stars. Most recently, that star is Cedric Gray, the middle linebacker who’s now a Tennessee Titan. Gray led the Tar Heels in tackles each of the past three seasons, recording 100 each year and a career-best 145 in 2022.
Howell and Gray shared the field at UNC in 2020 and 2021. They are now preparing to face off as opponents on Saturday, Aug. 17, as the Titans host the Seahawks in Week 2 NFL Preseason action.
The two former Tar Heels met up this week, posing for a picture during a joint practice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-s0TqgJ4CN/
Howell, who is competing with incumbent starter Geno Smith on the depth chart, shined in Seattle’s Week 1 Preseason win. Gray didn’t play last week due to a shoulder injury – and it doesn’t appear he’l play Saturday either.
Still no sign of LB Cedric Gray or LB JoJo Domann at #Titans joint practices today.
While Howell is pretty much guaranteed a roster spot, Gray will have to fight more as a fourth-round pick. Tennessee has shown an ability to develop defensive talent, so Gray has a good shot to remain a Titan.
Will we see the two former UNC stars back in Kenan Stadium for a game this fall?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
The team has certainly added talent on both sides of the ball, but perhaps no player is more important than young quarterback Will Levis. Levis showed flashes of greatness as a rookie, but the Titans are counting on the young passer to take another step forward in 2024 with a better supporting cast.
The team added veteran receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley this offseason. Running back Tony Pollard was added to offset the loss of Derrick Henry, and the offensive line was beefed up by adding rookie JC Latham and free agent Lloyd Cushenberry. It certainly seems like Levis will have every opportunity to prove himself in 2024.
With that being said, let’s identify three bold stat predictions for the Titans in 2024.
Why will Will Levis be the first QB to do so? Well, his supporting cast is arguably the best in franchise history. DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd give the young QB a trio of experienced pass catchers to target. Additionally, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow eclipsed 4,000 yards twice under Brian Callahan’s tutelage.
Add in that the Titans no longer have Derrick Henry to give the ball to 25 times a game, and all the ingredients are there for Levis to have a huge season.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins will both eclipse 1,000 receiving yards
In 2023, both Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, look for the duo to repeat that stat, this time as teammates.
As mentioned above, all expectations should be that Levis is going to have a huge year. If Levis eclipses 4,000 yards, then that also means Ridley and Hopkins will have huge years. Both veterans have shown the ability to rack up yards, and there’s no reason to think there won’t be enough targets to go around.
Tyler Boyd hasn’t surpassed 1,000 yards since 2019, and neither Nick Westbrook-Ikhine nor Treylon Burks have shown an ability to produce like that. This means Levis could end up relying on his two star receivers, and both could end up with Pro Bowl-caliber seasons because of that.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cedric Gray will collect 100+ tackles
Cedric Gray was a tackling machine in college. From 2021-2023, the linebacker collected at least 100 tackles in each season for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Coming to the Titans as a fourth-round pick, many would probably expect Gray to be a backup and/or a special teamer as a rookie. However, the former Tar Heel has his eyes on the green dot and could end up starting from Week One. Gray is slightly undersized and isn’t the best in pass coverage, but he attacks the ball and doesn’t shy away from contact.
The Titans brought in Kenneth Murray in free agency, but the other inside linebacker spot is up for grabs. Last season, we saw Azeez Al-Shaair blow past 100 tackles for the Titans. The rookie Gray could easily do the same in his first season in Nashville.
The Lott Trophy named after NFL Hall of Fame defensive star Ronnie Lott, is awarded to a player on defense, who produces the biggest impact on and off the field. Rucker is one of 41 others to be named to the watch list, joining Marlowe Wax, Ashton Gillotte, Tre Freeman, Barrett Carter, and Rueben Bain as players representing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
A player from UNC has yet to win the award, failing to earn a finalist spot.
Rucker will be counted on heavily this season for UNC’s defense with the departure of [autotag]Cedric Gray[/autotag] to the Tennessee Titans. Last season, Rucker had a year to remember, finishing with a career-high tackles (61), sacks (8.5), and tackles resulting in loss (15).
Those numbers should only increase with a more aggressive defensive scheme on the horizon behind defensive coordinator Geoff Collins. Safe to say, Rucker has a chance to bring the Lott trophy to Chapel Hill.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Cedric Gray agrees to terms with the Tennessee Titans, signing his rookie contract.
UNC defensive anchor [autotag]Cedric Gray[/autotag] has reached another milestone in his pro journey, as he has signed the dotted line for his rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans.
It was announced Thursday morning that Gray had officially signed his rookie contract, just two days after his UNC teammate [autotag]Drake Maye[/autotag] agreed to terms with the New England Patriots. Gray is already being discussed as the steal of the draft, falling to the Titans in the fourth round with the 106th overall pick.
Gray was one of the last to sign his contract from the Titans 2024 draft class, with only their second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat left to sign.
Per Spotrac, the deal is worth $4,854,492 over four years, including a $834,492 signing bonus.
Regardless of how much Gray pocketed from the deal, this is only the start for the vocal defensive linebacker. If he can have the same impact he did with the Tar Heels, his initial contract will look like a chump change compared to his next one.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Titans LBs coach Frank Bush recently touched on the possibility of rookie Cedric Gray wearing the green dot.
Following the departure of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency, the Tennessee Titans are searching for the next player to wear the green dot, with fourth-round pick and linebacker Cedric Gray being one of the options, assuming he can grab a starting role.
During rookie minicamp this weekend, linebackers coach Frank Bush explained why Gray is capable of taking on the job in his first season.
“I’ve got friends on the staff (in North Carolina) watch this kid over the years just get better and better and better,” he said, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “He’s shown leadership, he’s shown the ability to fix his mistakes; he self corrects. He talks football — there’s some football knowledge in there. He understands schemes and whatnot, so you know you’re dealing with a set of traits that are going to help him go forward.”
Gray is already getting a look as the play-caller after the Titans gave him the responsibility during rookie minicamp on Friday. The North Carolina product touched on the subject after practice.
“It was good,” Gray said, according to Jim Wyatt. “That’s something in the job that I want to be able to have. So being able to go out there and do that for the first time today, it was (great).”
First things first, Gray will have to compete for the starting job alongside Kenneth Murray, who is not expected to wear the green dot. Jack Gibbens and Otis Reese figure to be his stiffest competition for the role.
If Gray doesn’t get the green dot for whatever reason, general manager Ran Carthon has said veteran safety Amani Hooker has offered to take it.
The Titans gave rookie LB Cedric Gray the task of calling plays for the defense on Day 1 of rookie minicamp.
The Tennessee Titans are in search of who will be the defensive play-caller on the field during the 2024 campaign after the departure of Azeez Al-Shaair, and fourth-round pick and linebacker Cedric Gray is among the candidates.
Of course, Gray has to earn a starting job first, something that isn’t a given, even with the lackluster options the Titans have at the position aside from him.
Just in case, the Titans are getting Gray some experience early on, as the rookie was calling plays on defense during Day 1 of rookie minicamp.
“It was good,” Gray said, according to Jim Wyatt. “That’s something in the job that I want to be able to have. So being able to go out there and do that for the first time today, it was (great).”
Gray has been getting to know his new teammates since joining the Titans. In fact, he is roommates with second-round pick and defensive lineman, T’Vondre Sweat.
But there’s one problem: Sweat snores, and really loud.
“It’s pretty bad,'” Gray said. “It’s pretty loud, but it wasn’t too bad. You have to go to sleep first, that’s the key.”
If you see Gray lagging at practice in the near future, it could very well be because he was up all night due to Sweat’s snoring, so give him a break.
The Titans needed a green dot linebacker going into the draft and they may have just found one in Cedric Gray.
In the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Cedric Gray. Gray is a linebacker from the North Carolina Tar Heels who should immediately challenge for a starting position next to Kenneth Murray Jr.
In 2023, Gray collected 121 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, and one interception for the Tar Heels. The linebacker is a tackling machine who patrols the middle of the field and isn’t afraid to make a hit.
A majority of the time, draft picks are not surprised by the team that selects them. Typically, a team that selects a player has had multiple meetings and interviews with said player.
However, that wasn’t the case with the Titans and Gray. While speaking with Nashville media, Gray admitted that he had very little contact with the Titans prior to being selected.
Cedric Gray said he had very little contact with the #Titans in the pre-draft process.
Of course, this isn’t a huge deal. These days, teams can learn more than ever by watching film and talking to other coaches and scouts. Clearly, the team saw enough from Gray’s tape to feel comfortable spending a mid-round pick on the prospect.
It’s possible the Titans did not show much interest in Gray because they didn’t think he would be available when they went on the clock in the fourth round. The Titans did not have a third-round selection this year, and Gray was projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick.
The Titans are looking for someone to wear the green dot. General manager Ran Carthon believes Gray could be capable of doing so — and Gray welcomes the challenge.
“I believe I’ll be able to do that,” he said. “That’s something I pride myself on, having a great football mind, understanding the game, the defense, understanding how the offense is trying to attack us. I think I can lead a group of men.”
.@Titans GM Ran Carton: We think Cedric Gray is capable of being the green dot guy, as is fellow ILB Jack Gibbens. We'll let those guys sort it out
It will be interesting to see if Gray can develop into a starter for the Titans. The interior linebacker group in Nashville is thin, even with the signing of Murray.
