Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop is off the SEC injury report and officially good to go for the Vols’ rivalry matchup against Alabama on the Third Saturday in October. The Vols listed Bishop as “probable” on the injury report both Wednesday and Thursday before officially clearing him on Friday night.
Bishop is Tennessee’s leading rusher this season, entering the Alabama game with 481 yards and five touchdowns this season. The Vols rotate multiple running backs throughout multiple games. Duke transfer Star Thomas has 328 yards and four touchdowns while sophomore Peyton Lewis has 200 yards and five touchdowns as a strong red zone threat.
A redshirt sophomore, 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.
Bishop 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.
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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.
Lewis ran the ball twice more in the red zone on the next drive, punching it in from two yards out. Both Lewis and 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.
“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.”
The status of Alabama starting running back Jam Miller has also been up in the air this week. Alabama star running back Jam Miller remains probable for the rivalry matchup.
Alabama is currently 8.5-point home favorites over Tennessee according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 58.5. Kickoff between Tennessee and Alabama is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath are on the call for ABC,
