Weeks into Tennessee Titans training camp, it appeared that sophomore linebacker James Williams was the clear-cut favorite to start this season next to Cody Barton. Williams consistently took first-team reps with the defense. It was until the mid-August joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons that fellow competitor Cedric Gray began getting run with the starting defense.
Gray then started the successive preseason tune-up versus the Falcons. The former North Carolina standout took full advantage of that opportunity, recording seven tackles and a sack. Gray also had an interception wiped out by offsetting penalties, but it still went down as a notable play in the film room.