Ahead of Tennessee football’s clash against Arkansas, the initial availability report for both teams was released on Wednesday night. This included star cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is recovering from an offseason ACL injury that has held him out for the start of the season.
On the report, McCoy has already been ruled out. He joins cornerback Rickey Gibson and freshman receiver Radarious Jackson as inactives. Tight end Ethan Davis is also listed as questionable.
On Monday, Vols head coach Josh Heupel gave his thoughts on reports that McCoy could be nearing a return and how the rehab is going.
“Jermod continues to do a great job in his rehab with our medical staff, our strength staff,” Heupel said. “Somebody told me there was a report out there of a certain ball game that he’s focused in on as far as returning. I think that’s unfair. Whoever put that out there, I don’t think truly understands Jermod and the situation. He’s done a really good job.
“He’s got more to go. I think it’s all about him being prepared to go play. There’s a lot of things that go into that. You look at the position he plays, all the reactionary work that you have to have in so your always balancing his ability to be prepared and short-term, long-term health as well.”
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McCoy made a limited return to practice toward the end of fall camp, but was clearly far from 100%. He was not able to receive contact or go through drills with other players during the portions open to the media. However, he did not appear to have any hobble to his steps and did not sport a knee brace.
After the Vols held their first scrimmage of fall camp, which McCoy did not participate in, Heupel met with the media to give his thoughts on McCoy’s limited return to practices.
“Yeah, cool moment for Jermod. Big moment getting back on the field, doing some of the individual work,” Heupel said. “It was cool to see the way his brothers were excited for him in that moment and how big that was, too. He broke us down before practice. And he’s done an elite job throughout his rehab, and there’s still more that he’s got to continue to do, but excited to get him back out with us.”
When healthy, McCoy is projected to start at cornerback opposite of breakout transfer Colton Hood. Initially, it was Hood and Rickey Gibson at corner, but Gibson suffered an injury that will hold him out for an extended period of time. Freshman Ty Redmond has gotten the snaps in his place.
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.
McCoy started his career at Oregon State after being ranked as a three-star recruit out of high school. He played his prep ball in Whitehouse, Texas, before making the move to play for the Beavers. With Oregon State, he played in 12 games and started in five as a true freshman. He led the team with nine passes defended and came down with a pair of interceptions.
