Titans must start Cedric Gray, Anthony Hill at LB in Week 2

The only positive takeaway from the Tennessee Titans' Week 1 blunder was the performance of rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. The 60th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft recorded a team-high 16 tackles. The Titans need to start Hill and Cedric Gray at linebacker versus the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

Hill started in place of Gray, who failed to clear concussion protocol in time for Week 1 after suffering an off-field leisure accident . That put Hill in the starting lineup next to veteran Cody Barton . The rookie took full advantage of the opportunity.

Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Gray has already cleared protocol during his Monday press conference. That opens up the possibility for the Titans to start Gray and Hill in Week 2. They must be bold enough to send Barton to the bench, especially versus an athletic Eagles offense.

Hill didn't just register 16 tackles. He appeared to have forced and recovered a fumble in Jets territory when he punched the ball loose from sophomore tight end Mason Taylor . The refs called an incomplete pass on the field, and surprisingly upheld that call once Saleh challenged it.

Even with his takeaway confusingly stolen from him, Hill still made impact plays. The former Texas standout had a really nice pass breakup on a peanut-punch, breaking up a pass for a Jets running back on a wheel route. Hill also shoved Geno Smith out of bounds short of the sticks on a third-and-short, forcing a fourth down.

The rebuilding Titans are still stacking young talent. They aggressively traded up for Hill, nabbing him with a second-round pick they initially didn't have. That decision paid immediate dividends in Week 1. The Titans were terrible, but Hill was excellent. Hopefully he starts opposite Gray versus the Eagles in Week 2.