The Titans will have the services of their leading tackler Sunday when they play their home finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Tennessee interim coach Mike McCoy said Friday that inside linebacker Cedric Gray, who missed last Sunday’s win over Kansas City, has cleared concussion protocol and will be available to play in the home finale.
McCoy ruled out rookie cornerback Marcus Harris, who he’d previously said would not play again this season, due to a knee injury.
In addition, neither edge rusher Femi Oladejo nor wide receiver Bryce Oliver will be activated from the designated return to practice list for the game against New Orleans. Oladejo (leg) and Oliver (knee) were allowed to practice with the team again starting Dec. 17, opening a three-week window for them to return to the 53-man roster.
But there’s no guarantee either will play before the end of the season, which concludes at Jacksonville the following weekend.
The Titans also on Friday announced they’ll elevate cornerback Kemon Hall from the practice squad for the third straight week. In the Titans’ win over Kansas City, Hall totaled five tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Hall finished with 26 defensive snaps against the Chiefs, third among Titans cornerbacks behind Darrell Baker Jr. and Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Gray’s return, meanwhile, will allow the second-year linebacker to pad some very impressive stats for the 2024 fourth-round pick.
His 140 tackles are tied for fifth in the NFL, and are the most for any player who’s participated in 14 games or fewer this season.
With 10 tackles this week, Gray would become the fourth Titans player since the year 2000 to record 150 tackles in a season, joining Azeez Al-Shaair (163 in 2023), Stephen Tulloch (160 in 2010) and Keith Bulluck (152 in 2004).
Gray’s 140 tackles not only lead the Titans, but are 81 more than safety Amani Hooker (79), who ranks second on the team in tackles. The former North Carolina standout has also totaled one sack, 14 quarterback pressures, six tackles for loss and four passes defensed this season.
In addition to players already referenced, cornerback Micah Robinson (illness) and edge rusher Jaylen Harrell (personal reasons) did not practice Friday.
NOTE: Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was named the NFL Players Association Community MVP after hosting multiple charitable events in a seven-day span.
The four-time Pro Bowler partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee to outfit four college-bound high school seniors with custom suits in preparation for life’s biggest moments, and treated 20 other kids to a holiday shopping spree.
In addition, Simmons made a surprise visit to Hunters Lane High School, where he donated $5,000 in support of its girls’ flag football program.