The game day availability report for Tennessee football’s matchup with Georgia is here. With the Vols dealing with a good bit of injury, it’s a busy report for UT as things get finalized for the top-15 clash.
Ultimately, there were __ updates from yesterday’s report. __
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 Georgia. When asked the Monday following the win over the Orange, Josh Heupel gave some unencouraging 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.
“Yeah, cool moment for Jermod. Big moment getting back on the field, doing some of the individual work,” Heupel said about his return to practice. “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.”
There is no clear timeline for his return at this point. 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 – DT Daevin Hobbs
Daevin Hobbs, a projected key piece at defensive tackle, was ruled out for a few weeks due to a foot injury suffered just ahead of the season. There is no clear timeline for his return, but he is expected to play at some point this season.
“Hobbs, he’s a long, athletic kid that can bend, that can really run first,” Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner said prior to the injury during fall camp. “The things that you really want. You wish for Hobbs, he’s been stunted from a power explosiveness with two offseasons because of shoulder surgeries. You sit there and you’re like, always wondering, what if? What would he be if he had those two offseasons, what would he be right now?
“But he’s a very talented guy. We need for him to take that next step. And so far in camp, he’s done a really good job. Obviously he’s a lot like some older kids I’ve had, like (Richard) Seymour and (Marcus) Stroud. He’s a tall kid, so he has to really be conscientious on making sure that he’s playing great pad level, especially as an interior guy. So, like I was telling him, we were watching film last night if you think you’re low, get lower. You ain’t never going to be low enough just consistently playing behind his pad and playing with great fundamentals.”
OUT – DT Jaxson Moi
Jaxson Moi started at defensive tackle against Syracuse, but suffered an injury early in the game. After just a few snaps, he went down and did not return. As a result, Heupel ruled him out early in the week of preparation for the game against ETSU.
On Wednesday, he provided some hope that Moi could give it a go against Georgia. However, he was downgraded to doubtful on Friday.
“Yeah, there’s certainly some belief on that side of it, but you’ll be able to see on the injury report here tonight,” Heupel said.
0UT – OT David Sanders Jr.
David Sanders is listed as Tennessee’s starting right tackle on the depth chart, but is yet to play a game. The true freshman and former five-star recruit was thought to be good to go for the opener against Syracuse, but was a late scratch by the medical team.
He was also ruled out for the game against ETSU the following week. Heupel gave his thoughts on Sanders’ status afterward.
“Dave, anticipated him being ready,” Heupel said following the win. “Ultimately, medical decided for him, for us, it probably wasn’t the best move to play him today.”
With Sanders out of the lineup, Tennessee has slid guard Jesse Perry out to right tackle. In that role, he’s done a good job, although against two weaker defensive lines than what Georgia brings to the table.
On Friday, it was reported that Sanders was likely to miss the game. However, his status remained unchanged.
ACTIVE – DE Tyree Weathersby
After playing a good bit of the game against Syracuse and performing well at defensive end, Tyree Weathersby was unable to play against ETSU. In the opener, he recorded four six tackles with four coming as a solo effort.
Weathersby has battled injuries throughout his career, but looked poised for a breakout season as a key piece of the defensive line rotation.
Other Tennessee players
- OUT – RB Hunter Barnes
Georgia
- OUT – TE Ethan Barbour
- OUT – OLB Chase Linton
- OUT – WR Thomas Blackshear
- GAME-TIME DECISION – OL Juan Gaston
- ACTIVE – Earnest Greene III
