Tennessee injury updates: Josh Heupel updates timeline of Jermod McCoy, Jaxson Moi, Daevin Hobbs

It was a devastating weekend for the Tennessee football program, which came so close to a marquee victory but fell at home to No. 6 Georgia 44-41. Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert missed what would have been a game-winning 43-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in regulation, which sent the game to overtime.

In overtime, Gilbert made a 42-yard field goal but the Bulldogs responded with a game-winning rushing touchdown just three plays later. Heading into the game, Tennessee was dealing with the injury bug to key players such as DB Jermod McCoy, DL Jaxson Moi and DL Daevin Hobbs. Head coach Josh Heupel gave injury updates on the trio of players on Monday.

“I don’t know the timeline on Jermod (McCoy),” Heupel said. “I say that meaning he’s gotten started back on the field. How his body responds and also being ready to go play and compete are all things that he’s got to continue to prepare for. He wants to be out there and he’s been a great teammate. He’s done a great job in his rehab and so has his medical team. It’s all about how we can get him prepared to actually go out there and play.”

Tennessee’s trio of defensive players would have been key in Georgia matchup

McCoy recorded 44 tackles, seven pass deflections and four interceptions last season in his first as a Volunteer (transferred from Oregon State prior to 2024 season). He was primed for a monstrous junior campaign in 2025, but he is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in January.

“Moi is day-to-day and Hobbs continues to do a really good job in his rehab,” Heupel continued. “How fast that progresses here… I can’t give you an answer today. But he’s done a really good job and hopefully we’ll have him back soon too.”

Moi last season totaled 16 tackles and two sacks, while Hobbs recorded 20 tackles and one sack. The presence of all three on the Volunteer defense would have been much appreciated, as Georgia totaled 502 yards (304 passing, 198 rushing) in the three-point victory in Knoxville.

Coming off its brutal loss to the Bulldogs, Tennessee will be back in action on Saturday against UAB. Following that matchup with the Blazers, the Volunteers return to SEC play on the road at Mississippi State on Sept. 27. That will be an extremely difficult matchup for Heupel’s team (especially if the trio of defensive players are still out), as the Bulldogs knocked off No. 12 Arizona State 24-20 in Starkville in week two.