NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans will be without starting weakside linebacker Cedric Gray for the season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Gray, who led the Titans with 164 tackles last season, was placed in the league's concussion protocol on Monday after being in a UTV accident in which he was the driver. The third-year linebacker did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday before being ruled out on Friday.
Rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. or veteran linebacker James Williams Sr. are in line to start in place of Gray. Hill worked exclusively at middle linebacker during training camp, while Williams was a camp standout at both the strongside and weakside positions.
"My mindset is to go out there and just do my job," Williams told ESPN. "Execute the game plan, play fast and violent."
The Titans started Williams along with Gray and Cody Barton in their base 4-3 defense against the Seattle Seahawks in the second preseason game. Tennessee started out in a subpackage with Barton and Gray at linebacker in the first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers and the finale against the Chicago Bears.
"I love our linebacker room," Saleh said Friday. "I think we have five legitimate starters. That group has really stepped up so we'll be fine."
The Titans are using the game-day elevation from the practice squad for veteran linebacker Mohamoud Diabate.
