The game day availability report for Tennessee football’s matchup with Mississippi State is here. With the Vols dealing with a good bit of injury, it’s a busy report for UT with a good number of familiar names.
On Saturday, just before kickoff, both offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. and defensive lineman Jaxson Moi are cleared to play.
Tennessee will have one more sleep to get ready for the matchup in Starkville, though. Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET and will air on the SEC Network.
Here’s the list for both teams and what you need to know.
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OUT – CB Rickey Gibson III
Rickey Gibson, after suffering an injury early in the season opener against Syracuse, will miss Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. When asked the Monday following the win over the Orange, Josh Heupel gave some discouraging news.
“Rickey will be out for an extended period here,” Heupel said. “How long, I don’t have the exact timeline on. But he’ll be out for an extended time.”
Gibson entered his junior year as a second-year starter with high expectations. He was named a Preseason All-SEC Third-Team member by Athlon. As a sophomore, he produced 32 tackles, two tackles for loss, five passes defended and a forced fumble.
OUT – CB Jermod McCoy
Jermod McCoy, a preseason All-American and projected first-round draft pick, also remains inactive. He suffered an offseason ACL injury and returned to practice in a limited form this fall.
There is no clear timeline for his return at this point. However, it certainly feels like McCoy could be making a returner sooner rather than later, particularly with an open date following the Mississippi State game.
In his first year with UT, McCoy managed 44 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. He came up with four interceptions, as well, including a one-handed snag against Ryan Williams of Alabama and a circus catch in the end zone at Vanderbilt.
OUT – DT Daevin Hobbs
Daevin Hobbs, a projected key piece at defensive tackle, was ruled out for multiple weeks due to a foot injury suffered just ahead of the season. There is no clear timeline for his return, but he is expected to play at some point this season, likely sooner than later, as well.
“Hobbs, he’s a long, athletic kid that can bend, that can really run first,” Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner said prior to the injury during fall camp. “The things that you really want. You wish for Hobbs, he’s been stunted from a power explosiveness with two offseasons because of shoulder surgeries. You sit there and you’re like, always wondering, what if? What would he be if he had those two offseasons, what would he be right now?
“But he’s a very talented guy. We need for him to take that next step. And so far in camp, he’s done a really good job. Obviously he’s a lot like some older kids I’ve had, like (Richard) Seymour and (Marcus) Stroud. He’s a tall kid, so he has to really be conscientious on making sure that he’s playing great pad level, especially as an interior guy. So, like I was telling him, we were watching film last night if you think you’re low, get lower. You ain’t never going to be low enough just consistently playing behind his pad and playing with great fundamentals.”
OUT – WR Radarious Jackson
After playing reserve snaps as an outside receiver in the first three games of the year, freshman Radarious Jackson was ruled out for the Vols’ game against UAB due to a hit he suffered in the loss to Georgia.
Jackson has played a limited role to this point before his injury. He did not record a catch against Syracuse in the opener, but notched three receptions for 35 yards in the dominant win over ETSU. Against Georgia, he caught one pass for five yards.
OUT – TE Ethan Davis
Ethan Davis was a new addition to the report on Thursday after not being listed on Wednesday. He also did not play in the UAB game, but was seemingly on track to be good for Mississippi State until the late addition to the report. He has been the first tight end off the bench for UT. With him out, freshman Jack Van Dorselaer should see more snaps.
OUT – DE Mariyon Dye
Mariyon Dye was also not listed on Wednesday, but was added to the report on Thursday as questionable. He is third in line at defensive end with Dominic Bailey’s move to the interior, playing a handful of snaps per game.
ACTIVE – OT David Sanders Jr.
David Sanders is listed as Tennessee’s starting right tackle on the depth chart, but is yet to play a game. The true freshman and former five-star recruit was thought to be good to go for the opener against Syracuse, but was a late scratch by the medical team. He was also ruled out for the game against ETSU, Georgia and UAB. Now, he’s good to go, though.
With Sanders out of the lineup, Tennessee has slid guard Jesse Perry out to right tackle. In that role, he’s done a stand-up job. Whenever Sanders is able to return, it raises the question of whether the Vols will shake things up or continue to go with what has worked.
ACTIVE – DT Jaxson Moi
Jaxson Moi started at defensive tackle against Syracuse, but suffered an injury early in the game. After just a few snaps, he went down and did not return. As a result, Heupel ruled him out early in the week of preparation for the game against ETSU.
On the Wednesday prior to the Georgia game, he provided some hope that Moi could give it a go. Ultimately, he was ruled out and also did not play against UAB the following Saturday. He’s officially making his return today, though.
Other Tennessee players
- OUT – RB Daune Morris
- OUT – RB Hunter Barnes
- NOT LISTED – DE Tyre West (missed UAB game)
- NOT LISTED – TE DaSaahn Brame (missed UAB game)
Mississippi State
- OUT – DL Will Whitson
- OUT – OL Blake Steen
- OUT – LB Derion Gullette
