A pair of projected Tennessee football starters were sidelined during the Vols’ Sunday morning practice on the Haslam Practice Field. Neither sophomore receiver Mike Matthews nor senior edge rusher Josh Josephs were going through drills with their teammates during the open portions of practice.
Josephs was in a jersey but had no shoulder pads or helmet on as he walked into the weight room while the team stretched. RTI did not spot Matthews during stretches but did see him stretching with the specialists as the rest of the team made its way outside after the first two practice sessions.
It is the first day that Matthews has missed time and he is not expected to miss much time with it. Matthews is day-to-day could be back full go on the practice field when Tennessee resumes practices on Tuesday.
Josephs has worked off to the side for two straight practices now and it is uncertain how serious or minor his injury is. Tennessee could very well be playing things slowly with one of their proven leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
A former five-star, Matthews played sparingly as a freshman in 2024 catching just seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. But after Tennessee’s receiver overhaul this offseason, the expectation is for Matthews to take a major step up and to be one of the Vols’ most productive receivers this season.
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Matthews has been at the front of line in routes on air sessions the first week of fall camp. Freshman receiver Travis Smith Jr. took Matthews’ spot with the first team during Sunday’s practice.
Josephs is coming off a junior season where he totaled 39 tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles while grading out as one of the best edge rushers in the SEC according to PFF.
With James Pearce Jr off to the NFL, Josephs is Tennessee’s top LEO entering the season. Despite a productive junior season, the Vols need Josephs to take another step forward rushing the passer this season to help offset Pearce’s departure.
Junior Caleb Herring and sophomore Jordan Ross are the next two edge rushers on Tennessee’s roster and are pushing to earn more reps this season.
Tennessee football returns to practice Tuesday morning after a Monday off day. Tuesday’s practice will be the Vols’ last one in shells before putting full pads on for Wednesday’s practice.
