Tennessee Football at Florida: Wednesday Availability Report

Tennessee TE Miles Kitselman after beating Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game (Ryan Sylvia | RTI)

The Wednesday availability report for Tennessee football’s matchup at Florida is here. With the Vols dealing with some injury, it’s a lot of familiar names involved.

Tennessee’s game against the Gators will be the program’s attempt to win in Gainesville for the first time since 2003. Josh Heupel has won both games against Florida at home while leading the Vols, but is 0-2 in The Swamp.

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 Florida. 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. Heupel commented on the chance he could play this season on the Wednesday before playing New Mexico State.

“Jermod, I’ve said it throughout the course of the season, and obviously, a tough injury for him and for us while we were off last January before we came back and started our off-season, he’s done a great job,” Heupel said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Competed really hard and been a great teammate throughout all of the rehab process. Continues to do more on the football side of it. Don’t have an expectation for this Saturday yet, but he continues to do the right things to give himself a chance here at the end of the year.”

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 – TE Miles Kitselman

Miles Kitselman has been the starting tight end all season for Tennessee. However, in the second half of the win over New Mexico State, he was ran into by Peyton Lewis on a rush, which resulted in a lower-body injury. He is already ruled out of the game against Florida.

On the year, Kitselman has produced 25 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Behind him, it’s been Ethan Davis, then Jack Van Dorselaer and a bit of DaSaahn Brame.

 

QUESTIONABLE – IOL Wendell Moe Jr.

Also suffering an injury in the second half of the win over New Mexico State was offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. The Arizona transfer did not return after going down. Now, he is questionable to play.

Moe has started each game this season at guard. He’s been a versatile piece, flipping from left to right when needed to make different combinations work up front.

 

QUESTIONABLE – RB Peyton Lewis

Tennessee football may be without one of its three contributing running backs for its game at Florida this weekend. Sophomore back Peyton Lewis is listed as questionable for the matchup in Gainesville.

Lewis suffered an injury during a disastrous drive for the Vols in their 42-9 win over New Mexico State. Despite the possession ending in a touchdown for Lewis, tight end Miles Kitselman, offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. and running backs Lewis and DeSean Bishop all exited with injury in the span of just a handful of plays.

 

NOT LISTED – LB Arion Carter

Arion Carter has been the starting weak-side linebacker for Tennessee this season. He had not missed any time due to injury this year until he was listed as questionable, then a game-time decision for the trip to Kentucky. He ultimately did not play any snaps.

Against Oklahoma, Carter saw limited action while he battled through injury. Following the bye week, he sat out for the win over New Mexico State as he deals with turf toe.

Now, he’s not listed on the report, likely indicating he’ll be good to play in the game.

 

Other Tennessee Players

  • OUT – DB Sidney Walton
  • OUT – WR Joakim Dodson
  • NOT LISTED – WR Travis Smith Jr.

 

Florida

  • OUT
    • WR Eugene Wilson III
    • WR Dallas Wilson
    • EDGE Ty Jackson
    • DB LJ McCray
    • DB Aaron Gates
    • RB Micheal Caraway Jr.
    • DB Ja’Kobi Jackson
    • EDGE Dijon Johnson
    • DB George Gumbs Jr.
    • OL Javion Toombs
    • DL Roderick Kearney
    • DL Michai Boireau
  • QUESTIONABLE
    • WR Vernell Brown III
    • QB Tramell Jones Jr.
    • DB Bryce Thornton
  • PROBABLE
    • OL Austin Barber
    • TE Tony Livingston

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