Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was adamant that the Vols’ open date came at the right time beforehand. The Vols had a number of players miss the South Carolina game with minor injuries and hoped to get them back after a week off.
After Tennessee’s off date, Heupel expressed optimism that cornerback Doneiko Slaughter and receiver Dont’e Thornton would be available for Saturday’s SEC showdown with Texas A&M.
“Important for Doneiko, important for some other guys,” Heupel said. “Inevitably in this game, and certainly in this league, it is a physical battle every time you are out on the football field. Doneiko, we anticipate him being ready to play. Again, he has to go through the week and be in the right position, but anticipate that happening.”
Slaughter started at corner the first two games of the season opposite of Kamal Hadden but completely missed the Florida and UTSA game due to injury. The senior cornerback returned and played seven snaps, mostly late in the game, against South Carolina but still hasn’t returned to the field in a full capacity.
Tennessee has rotated at cornerback all season, even before Slaughter went down with an injury, so the Vols’ rotation hasn’t radically shifted with Slaughter out. Gabe Jeudy-Lally started across from Hadden the last three weeks with senior Warren Burrell and freshman Rickey Gibson III also earning snaps.
Oregon transfer receiver Dont’e Thornton’s status and how much he plays if he is available is a more intriguing storyline. Thornton has been one of Tennessee’s biggest disappointments over the first month of the season struggling to find a rhythm and earn consistent playing time at slot receiver.
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With Thornton sidelined against South Carolina, the first game he’s missed all season, fellow slot receiver Squirrel White played his best game of the season. White caught all nine of his targets for 104 yards.
The other receiver development in Thornton’s absence was just as important. Senior receiver Bru McCoy suffered a season ending ankle injury. Thornton hasn’t played any wide receiver in games this season but his coaches insist he’s capable of playing the spot and will help fill McCoy’s void alongside sophomore receivers Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb.
“I expect all of them to play at a high level,” Heupel said of the trio. “We are going to need all of those guys; that will be through the course of Saturday, but also throughout the course of the season. I expect to see all of those guys.”
Thornton’s 6-foot-5, 214-pound frame makes him physically capable of playing outside. The transfer receiver’s speed combined with White’s speed makes it intriguing to play both at the same time and see how they stretch defenses.
That, of course, doesn’t matter if Thornton isn’t back on the field and healthy enough to play. Heupel didn’t make any declarative statements but did express optimism that Thornton would be available against the Aggies.
“Dont’e again, we were on the grass today, and we will see how the week unfolds, but absolutely anticipate seeing all those guys play on Saturday,” Heupel said.
Kickoff between Tennessee and Texas A&M is at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell are on the call for CBS.
One Response
Would be nice but I believe the kid will not come in and challenge Niko.