Josh Heupel provides update on Cedric Tillman following procedure

Tennessee is currently down its top receiver in Cedric Tillman. The Vols’ leading receiver in 2021 has missed multiple weeks with an ankle injury and recently had a procedure to expedite his recovery. Following the small surgery, Tillman is back to moving around and may be getting closer to a return.

At his Monday press conference this week, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel addressed Tillman and his timetable for a return:

“He was limited but moved around a little bit today. We will see where he’s at. He had the surgery to speed up the recovery process,” Josh Heupel shared on the star wideout. Then added that “Tillman has to show this week he can be a functional player in order to get on the field.”

The Volunteers travel to No. 25 LSU this coming weekend after their bye week this past one. Tillman is hopeful to take the field but very well may not if he’s unable to show he’s completely recovered.

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman recovering from ‘tightrope’ ankle surgery

Losing Cedric Tillman was quite a blow for Tennessee heading into last week’s matchup against Florida. But ahead a bye week, Tillman took a big step to try and speed up his return.

Tillman underwent “tightrope” ankle surgery last week to avoid missing more time, ESPN’s Chris Low reported. It’s the same type of procedure Tua Tagovailoa underwent twice while he was at Alabama. The first time, Tagovailoa returned in 28 days, and he came within three weeks of the second surgery.

Tillman suffered the injury in Tennessee’s victory over Akron Sept. 17 and missed the Volunteers’ thrilling victory over Florida at Neyland Stadium last week. In three games this season, he has 17 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown to his name one year after totaling more than 1,000 yards. He decided to forego the NFL Draft and return for one more go-round with the Vols and quarterback Hendon Hooker.