With Tennessee’s upcoming game against top-ranked Georgia quickly approaching, the Vols are working to get some of their key players up to full health.
During Tennessee’s game against Kentucky, a few players sustained some sort of injury that has carried into this week. However, it does look like each player is trending in a positive direction.
While speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel gave an injury update for running back Tiyon Evans, running back Jabari Small, and tight end Jacob Warren. Although, none of the players we’re mentioned specifically.
“We always make those decisions based off of Friday’s practice, so we’ll see where we’re at,” Heupel said when asked about Evans, Small, and Warren.
Heupel followed that up by talking about their practice limitations, if any, throughout this week.
“We have been able to get work with those guys,” Heupel said on Thursday. “We’ll see where they’re at come tomorrow, and hope to have those guys ready for Saturday.”
Once again, Heupel didn’t give away too many details, but that has been his style all year. On one hand, the team doctor’s evaluation does come after Heupel’s final media appearance each week. But on the other, though, Heupel does like to keep his cards close to his chest, for any and every strategical advantage. And with the top-ranked Bulldogs coming into town this Saturday, Tennessee will need every advantage they can find.
Against Kentucky, Tennessee did lose both of their running backs before the fourth quarter even began. Evans ended the game with one carry after being taken out of the game in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Small had four carries and 55 yards on the night but left in the third quarter after his 37-yard touchdown run, in which he juked a Kentucky defender out of his shoes, essentially.
Evans is still the Vols’ leading rusher on the season, although, quarterback Hendon Hooker is not too far behind. Evans has 525 yards while Hooker has 457. Meanwhile, Small is sitting as Tennessee’s third-leading rusher (387) with the third-most carries (76), behind Hooker and then Evans.
Tennessee (5-4, 3-5 SEC) will host Georgia (9-0, 7-0 SEC) this Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET during Tennessee’s homecoming celebration.
