Cooper Mays expected to be out 'a couple weeks' after procedure
One of Tennessee‘s key starters will miss a few weeks after undergoing a minor operation, with veteran offensive lineman Cooper Mays anticipated back near the start of the season.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel didn’t specify what the procedure was to address.
“Coop had a minor procedure late yesterday and he’ll be back, he’ll be healthy as we get close to kickoff,” Heupel said. “Anticipate that being a couple week deal.”
Cooper Mays is one of Tennessee’s most experienced linemen and a third-team preseason All-SEC selection by the league’s media.
He has played in 31 career games and made 23 starts, with all of his starts coming at the center position. He’s been an anchor in the middle for the Volunteers, having started in 19 straight games going into the 2023 campaign.
That could potentially be in jeopardy should his recovery end up on the long side of Heupel’s expected timeline for a return.
As is, Tennessee is set to open the season on Sept. 2 against Virginia in a game that will be played in Nashville, Tenn.
Cooper Mays will certainly hope to be on the first-team unit that trots out there to greet the Cavaliers, with the Volunteers having lofty expectations for the 2023 campaign after winning 11 games and the Orange Bowl a year ago.
Cooper Mays praises younger offensive linemen
Early in fall camp Cooper Mays had been impressed with some of the younger offensive linemen suiting up for the Volunteers.
While Tennessee does have some returning veterans, it’ll need to continue to build depth. Based on what Cooper is seeing, that appears to be happening.
“Yeah I think there’s a couple guys behind me, (Parker Ball), Addison (Nichols), Vysen (Lang) is working a lot,” veteran center Cade Mays said. “I think Vysen and Addison, PB obviously knows the offense really well and kind of knows his role. Vysen and Addison have taken a step forward I think behind me and I think they’re both big guys, strong guys that can hold up in the middle.
“Young guys I would say you look at the guard spot, we’ve got a lot of young guys in the guard spot. Mo Clipper, Masai Reddick. Addison Nichols plays all the interior spots. So just getting them more experience in our offense and just in the college game, it’s a hard thing to adjust to, especially in the O-line. I think they’ve taken steps forward changing their bodies around and getting stronger and then more mental reps, that’ll help them too.”