Titans LB Cedric Gray placed on IR with designation to return

The Tennessee Titans selected linebacker Cedric Gray out of the University of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. On Wednesday, the Titans announced they would place Gray on injured reserve with a designation to return.

Titans general manager Ran Carthon spoke to the media on Wednesday and said, “I get to break news. According to sources, we will be placing Cedric Gray on IR, designated for return, just to give him the opportunity to get healthy.”

Gray injured his shoulder earlier this month.

“(I) had the conversation with Cedric this morning. He’s one of those guys that you have to protect him from himself because he wants to prove that he wants to be on this team, and he has earned the right to be on this team. With the nature of his injury, we just have to protect him from himself and give him an even longer period to get back healthy for us,” he said.

During his career at UNC, Gray racked up 367 tackles (198 solo), 13 passes defensed, 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and five interceptions.

Gray is young, and it would be best if he healed completely before returning to the field. The Titans have guys like Jack Gibbens, Kenneth Murray, Jr., Otis Reese IV, and James Williams; you can let the rookie heal. Continue to develop his football IQ so that when he does return, he’s even better than before.