Tennessee faces a defensive crisis after a winless opener, as injuries to Cedric Gray and Cor’Dale Flott threaten to deplete a unit desperate to rebound against Philadelphia.
The Tennessee Titans desperately need a rebound this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They were embarrassed in Week 1 to the tune of a 23-10 loss to the New York Jets.
Even Jets quarterback Geno Smith piled on the Titans. He said after the game that it felt like he wasn't being touched because of his offensive line's play. The Titans didn't record a single sack, so Smith probably wasn't too far off with that statement.
The Titans will need an impressive turnaround to compete with the Eagles after that season-opening loss. It didn't help that three players were listed as questionable on the final injury report.
Linebackers Cedric Gray (concussion) and James Williams Sr. (elbow) and cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (quad) were all going to be game-time decisions.
For Gray, this wasn't expected. He is still likely to play as he tries to clear concussion protocol in time for kickoff.
He was a full participant all three days of practice this week. He had been working his way back from a concussion that he sustained in a UTV accident over Labor Day Weekend.
The signs were there for Gray to make his return from injury. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley liked what he saw from Gray at practice. The team is still awaiting his test results to confirm his status for the game, it seems.
Getting him back would be a major plus, even with how bad the team looked in Week 1. Gray led the team with 164 total tackles last year and has yet to make his 2026 regular-season debut.
If Gray is unable to play again for the second straight week, we will most likely see Anthony Hill Jr. start in his place. Hill made a great first impression in Week 1 and was really the only player who was consistent.
Hill led the team with 16 total tackles in the 23-10 loss.
Williams appeared on the injury report this week following the Jets game. He had a very solid training camp but has not done enough to earn starting minutes. He was limited every day of practice leading up to the game.
Losing Williams would still hurt since he can offer the team quality depth.
Flott was a surprise late addition to the injury report. He didn't appear on either the Wednesday or Thursday injury report. The fact that Flott didn't practice at all on Friday isn't a great sign.
We'll have to wait and see if his status improves before game day. Losing Flott would be a major blow to the secondary, leaving the Titans without a starting cornerback.
There is very little quality depth behind Flott at cornerback. If he's unable to go, the Titans will have to rely on Micah Robinson or recent addition Jaylon Jones, who was signed just before the Jets game.
Something to watch is if any players get called up from the practice squad at either linebacker or corner. That should tell us what the team's plans are for the game.
For the Eagles, they have their fair share of ailing players, too. Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard is out with a pectoral injury. Safety Andrew Mukuba is going to be a game-time decision with a knee injury.
This will be the first time the Titans have faced the Eagles since their trip to Lincoln Financial Field in 2022, after the A.J. Brown trade in that year's draft. The Titans lost 35-10 that time and will need even more help to come close to beating the Eagles this year.
Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is set for noon CT on Sunday via Fox.
