Tennessee basketball forward JP Estrella is set to return to the lineup on Tuesday night against Missouri. The Vols removed Estrella from the game day injury report after listing him as questionable with a left foot injury on Monday night.
Estrella has missed each of Tennessee’s last two games due to foot soreness. He’s slowly done more-and-more in practice including a good deal of five-on-five work during Monday’s practice open to the media.
“I know he’s doing everything in his power to get back as fast as he can,” Tennessee assistant coach Amorrow Morgan said Monday. “I know he’s getting treatment right now two or three times a day. Like, he wants to be back. And we know that. We need the Moose— is what we call him. Like, he has such strong legs. We need him back. He’s such a dominant force on the offensive glass, and he adds another layer of depth and just another layer of skill. But I know he’s doing everything he can, so hopefully he’ll be back.”
The 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. His role has seriously increased over the last month after Rick Barnes inserted him into the starting lineup against Alabama. Estrella has steadily improved with the bigger role and is averaging 11.7 points and seven rebounds in the seven games since moving into the starting lineup.
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It’s currently unclear whether Estrella will start against Missouri or if Tennessee will bring him off the bench to slowly work him back into things.
Jaylen Carey has started in Tennessee’s wins over Oklahoma and Vanderbilt last week while DeWayne Brown played a huge role in both games. That was especially the case against the Commodores when Brown totaled eight points and four rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
The Vols enter the SEC matchup winners of four straight, looking to build off a marquee win at Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. Missouri currently sits on the right side of the bubble and is looking to add a strong home win to its resume.
Tennessee basketball is 3.5-point favorites against Missouri according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 144.5. KenPom predicts Tennessee to earn a 75-70 victory over Missouri. Tipoff between Tennessee and Missouri is at 9 p.m. ET at Mizzou Arena on Tuesday night in Columbia. Dave Neal and Jon Sundvold are on the call for the SEC Network.
