Head coach Robert Saleh provides clarity on the rookie linebacker's concussion protocol status as Tennessee prepares for a high-stakes season opener against the New York Jets.
We got our first Tennessee Titans injury report on Wednesday afternoon.
We are that much closer to regular-season Titans football. The team will face the New York Jets, who are familiar with Robert Saleh. Saleh was their head coach from 2021-24.
From now until Friday, the Titans will continue releasing injury reports as we get closer and closer to kickoff on Sunday.
On Wednesday, only two players appeared on the injury report, which is never a bad thing.
Keldric Faulk was listed as a full participant at Wednesday's practice. Linebacker Cedric Gray did not participate following his UTV accident over the weekend.
Luckily, Saleh had an update on Gray. At Wednesday's press conference, he said Gray has a good chance of clearing concussion protocol in time for Sunday's game.
"Like I said, he's in the concussion protocol," Saleh said. "Has a chance to clear. We'll go through that process, and we'll know more towards the end of the week on his availability."
For Gray he is a vital part of this Titans' defense.
He just had a breakout season last year after recording 164 total tackles, one sack, and seven TFLs. Having him in the lineup is a major plus.
If he's unable to play, this could open the door for rookie Anthony Hill Jr. to get playing time early in the season, if nothing else, for the first game. Hill was listed as a backup linebacker in the unofficial depth chart, but the Titans could be motivated to increase his playing time if Gray can't play on Sunday.
With Faulk, he picked up a shoulder injury in the preseason after playing in the first game. He's been out ever since, and Saleh predicted that the rookie would be ready to go for the season opener.
So far, Faulk is trending in the right direction. He still hasn't been cleared, but being a full participant on Wednesday is a good start.
If Faulk and Gray are the only players who are dealing with injuries heading into the first game, that's never a bad thing either. The fewer injured players the Titans have heading into the game, the better.
Hopefully, no more players will wind up on the injury report as we advance into the week. The Titans and Jets meet at Nissan Stadium to open the 2026 season on Sunday.
Kickoff is at 5 p.m. CT on CBS live from the Music City.
