What happened: Tennessee defensive coordinator Gus Bradley addressed linebacker Cedric Gray during Thursday's coordinator availability, noting the defender was challenged to eliminate communication lapses that kept him off the field earlier in the 2026 season. Bradley spoke alongside offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and special teams coordinator John Fassel during the team's midweek media session.

Why it matters: The reduced workload for the linebacker who logged 28 rotational snaps earlier in October already drew trade interest from the Los Angeles Rams. Drafted 106th overall out of North Carolina in 2024, Gray tallied 164 tackles and one sack across 16 games in 2025 before working behind Cody Barton in the 2026 rotation.

What to watch: Gray's workload on Sunday will test whether cleaner communication translates into starting linebacker reps ahead of the NFL trade deadline.