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Tennessee ‘Anticipates’ Having Starting Left Tackle Back Against Alabama

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Tennessee OL Gerald MIncey. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics.

Tennessee expects to get starting left tackle Gerald Mincey back this week against No. 3 Alabama after the Florida transfer missed the Vols’ blowout victory over LSU.

Mincey’s unavailability was a surprise after playing the entire game against Florida and no Volunteer coaches mentioning any injuries during the open date.  So, why was Mincey unavailable against the Tigers?

“He just wasn’t available,” Heupel said in response Monday.

Mincey did not make the trip to Baton Rouge but is expected to be available this week against the Crimson Tide.

“We anticipate him being ready to play in this one,” Heupel said.

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Mincey’s posted a 60.1 PFF grade four weeks into the season and has excelled in pass protection while being inconsistent in run blocking. The Florida transfer beat out Jeremiah Crawford in a long offseason battle for the starting left tackle spot.

Crawford earned the majority of the left tackle snaps in Mincey’s absence with Dayne Davis also earning nearly just shy of two dozen snaps. Crawford performed well in Mincey’s absence, making his first start of the season.

“High level execution,” Heupel said of Crawford. “Did a good job in the run game. Combinations working with the guards in some of his man blocking. Did a really nice job in pass protection too. You saw, we didn’t change the way we played, the way we did anything. We have great trust in him.”

Tennessee and Alabama kick off from Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET. Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell are on the call for CBS.

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