Tennessee starting running back DeSean Bishop is “probable” for the Vols’ rivalry showdown against Alabama on the Third Saturday of October according to the Wednesday night SEC injury report.
Bishop suffered an injury in the third quarter of Tennessee football’s 34-31 win over Arkansas a week ago. The injury occurred on a hip-drop tackle after a 26-yard run that set Tennessee up deep in Arkansas territory. Tennessee’s trainers were working on Bishop’s right leg before the redshirt sophomore running back walked off on his own power.
The redshirt sophomore running back did not return against the Razorbacks after going to the injury tent and remaining on the sideline without his helmet. Despite not returning, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel provided a positive injury update on Bishop earlier this week.
“Feel like DeSean (Bishop) will be ready to go in this one,” Heupel said Monday.
To replace Bishop against Arkansas, Peyton Lewis entered with the ball at the seven-yard line. His first rush went for five yards to create second-and-goal. He punched it in from the two to give the Vols a 10-point advantage with little time left in the third quarter.
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Lewis ran the ball twice more in the red zone on the next drive, punching it in from two yards out. Both Lewis and Star Thomas split playing time the rest of the way. Lewis finished the game with eight carries for 33 yards and two touchdowns while Thomas ran 10 times for 23 yards.
Tennessee has had a true three-headed monster in the backfield this season including Bishop, Thomas and Lewis. Bishop leads Tennessee with 481 yards and five touchdowns this season. Thomas has 328 yards and four touchdowns while Lewis has 200 yards and five touchdowns as a strong red zone threat.
“We trust all those guys,” Heupel said. “Peyton had a great game the other night, finished it off in four minutes really, really good way. Couple goal line situations. Star’s played really well throughout the course of the year, and the young guys are ready to go play too.”
Alabama is currently 8.5-point home favorites over Tennessee according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 58.5
