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Gray, who is entering his third season with the franchise, was a significant contributor for the team last year, recording a team-high 164 tackles. His absence creates a sudden vacancy in the Titans' defensive lineup as they prepare for the trip to face the Jets. The linebacker did not participate in any practice sessions throughout the week, leading to his official designation as out on Friday.
Contingency plans for the Titans defense
In the wake of Gray's injury, the coaching staff is evaluating options to fill the void at the weakside linebacker position. Rookie Anthony Hill Jr. and veteran James Williams Sr. are the primary candidates to step into the starting role. During training camp, Hill focused his efforts on the middle linebacker position, while Williams demonstrated versatility by performing well at both the strongside and weakside spots.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Williams noted that his focus remains on executing the team's defensive strategy with intensity. The Titans have also moved to bolster their depth by utilizing a game-day elevation from the practice squad for veteran linebacker Mohamoud Diabate.
Depth and team outlook
Despite the setback, the team remains confident in the collective strength of their linebacker unit. During the preseason, the Titans experimented with various personnel groupings, including a base 4-3 defense against the Seattle Seahawks and subpackage formations in matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears.
Addressing the media on Friday, the coaching staff expressed optimism regarding the depth of the roster, noting that the group has shown significant progress throughout the summer. With five players considered legitimate starters in the rotation, the team expects the unit to remain competitive despite the absence of their leading tackler from the previous campaign.
