Injured Titans rookie could make NFL debut after team's bye week

The Tennessee Titans have received sizable contributions from their 2024 NFL Draft rookie class this season.

First-round left tackle JC Latham has played three outstanding games in a row. Second-round defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat put forth a dominant showing in Monday's 31-12 primetime victory over the Miami Dolphins. Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. also made his first career start in that triumph. Brownlee played like a long-term building block.

One Titans rookie that hasn't made an impact this season is fourth-round linebacker Cedric Gray. Expectations were extremely high for Gray when he was drafted, much higher than your average Day Three pick. That's partially because the Titans lost Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency.

When Gray was drafted, the Titans had a clear opening at off-ball linebacker next to free agent signing Kenneth Murray. Gray was even mentioned as a potential green-dot wearer, as someone who could call Dennard Wilson's defense. That hope came nowhere near reaching fruition.

Gray suffered an injury in training camp that derailed that entire period with the Titans. The rookie linebacker from North Carolina did not play in a single preseason contest. General manager Ran Carthon placed Gray on IR in late August with a designation to return, mere days after retaining him on their initial 53 man roster.

Gray has now missed the minimum four contests. On Tuesday, head coach Brian Callahan said the team would discuss activating Gray after the upcoming Week 5 bye week.

It's difficult to envision Gray earning a legitimate role on the defense with the way Wilson's unit is playing, but any experience would be better than what he's currently getting. Murray is meeting expectations, and the Titans also acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV in a trade right around the time Gray was placed on IR.

Murray and Jones currently place first and second on the defense in tackles. Jones has especially been outstanding as one of Tennessee's best overall defensive performers.

The Titans also have linebackers Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford, James Williams, and Otis Reese IV on the active roster. Gibbens has earned the trust of the coaching staff as the primary backup to Murray and Jones. Gifford is an excellent special teams player, and Reese has been playing on those units as well. Williams, a seventh-round rookie, has been a healthy scratch three games in a row.

Gray recorded 367 tackles (198 solo), 13 passes defensed, 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and five interceptions at North Carolina. He'll aim to make his NFL debut against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6.