No one should look at the Tennessee Titans' performance against the New York Jets and think that Cedric Gray's absence is the reason they lost that game. However, having their second-most productive defender sidelined definitely hurt the Titans.
Instead of looking back, Titans fans should be looking forward to what his return in Week 2 will mean for the defense going forward. Gray practiced for the Titans on Wednesday and Thursday, indicating he'll clear concussion protocol for the Week 2 game versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Given what we saw in Week 1, it is hard to imagine linebacker-whisperer Robert Saleh taking Anthony Hill off the field. Hill registered a league-high 16 tackles in first start, which is something Gray only did three times last year. Hill also knocked a pass away and is credited with another pass breakup, and you could make a strong case that he was the Titans' only bright spot.
Titans defense gets huge boost ahead of Week 2 matchup vs. Eagles with LB Cedric Gray returning
Gray and Hill should be the starting linebackers versus the Eagles. It wouldn't help anyone if Cody Barton is a step slow against Philadelphia's offensive line, or in coverage against the Eagles' productive tight ends.
Will that be enough to make a big difference? Well, it may shock you to find out the Titans actually held the Jets to 2-of-12 on third down. It is a small sample size, but maybe that means the Titans had a good plan on third downs, but they just couldn't get to third down often enough to make that matter.
If Gray's addition can keep the Eagles offense from "leaning" on the defense with strong runs, the third-down defense should be able to get on the field more and potentially lead to more defensive stops.
The Eagles are a much tougher opponent on paper than the Jets, but they did just struggle at home against the Washington Commanders. With an ailing offensive line and an offense that is still trying to figure itself out, maybe the Titans can put up a better fight and at least be competitive, but a lot of that responsibility falls on the defense to hold strong.
The Titans certainly didn't start the season the way they wanted to, but so much of this roster was built around culture and the idea that this defense isn't willing to lay on the mat. They are supposed to be fighters who don't fold so easily, and all week they have heard how terrible they were versus the Jets.
If the defense wants to prove that the "fast and violent" mantra wasn't just training camp talk, they need a far better performance versus the Eagles. Getting Gray back could help them do that.
Add us as a preferred source on Google