Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson injury updates: Status of Tennessee CBs revealed for Week 3

Tennessee starting cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III will not play for the Volunteers against No. 6 Georgia on Saturday, per On3’s Chris Low. McCoy is still recovery from an ACL tear he suffered in January, while Gibson is out due to an arm injury suffered in Tennessee’s season-opener.

McCoy suffered the ACL tear when he was participating in offseason workouts. McCoy was coming off a career year, in which he recorded 44 tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions.

For his efforts, McCoy was named an All-SEC First-Team selection and a Second-Team All-American. While McCoy will ultimately miss at least the first three weeks of this season, he is still projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, in August, ESPN’s Field Yates projected McCoy to be the No. 17 pick in the upcoming draft.

“If not for an ACL tear suffered in January, McCoy would be much higher,” Yates wrote. “He is a terrific perimeter cover corner, though, with ideal speed, length and ball disruption skills for the NFL.”

Jermod McCoy hasn’t allowed his injury to cause him to lose focus. He was reportedly extremely engaged during offseason practices and remained mentally locked into the team’s goals.

Unlike McCoy, Gibson has seen action this season, but not much. Gibson left the game early in Tennessee’s blowout 45-26 win over Syracuse, only recording one tackle.

Gibson had a breakout season in 2024, starting in all 12 of his appearances for the Volunteers. Gibson finished the year with 32 tackles, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. With McCoy and Gibson sidelined, Colton Hood and Ty Redmond are expected to be Tennessee’s starting cornerbacks Saturday.

Hood has been excellent this season and is leading the SEC with five pass breakups. He transferred to Tennessee this offseason after spending a year apiece at Colorado and Auburn.

Meanwhile, Redmond is a true freshman. His two pass breakups in Week 1 were the most of any freshman in college football.

Redmond wasn’t initially expected to play significant minutes for Tennessee this season. He was a three-star prospect in high school and ranked as the No. 69 cornerback in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.

Tennessee’s defense is currently allowing 220.5 passing yards per game, ranking No. 88 in the country. The Volunteers and Georgia will square off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.