Arion Carter injury update: Tennessee LB's status revealed vs. Oklahoma on Wednesday injury report

The initial injury report for a Week 9 matchup between Tennessee and Oklahoma has been released Wednesday evening. Both teams have several key players listed heading into a matchup that is critical for each of them at this point in the season.

For the Vols, linebacker Arion Carter was the biggest question mark heading into this week after missing Saturday’s game against Kentucky due to a turf toe injury. He leads the team with 61 tackles this season with addition to one sack, one forced fumble and two passes defended. Carter is officially listed as questionable against the Sooners.

OU also had several players miss its game last week, including defensive back Genry Williams, receiver Keontez Lewis and running back Jovantae Barnes. You can check out their status on the full injury report below.

No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners (6-2, 2-2 SEC)

Questionable:
RB Jovantae Barnes
RB Taylor Tatum
DB Gentry Williams
LB Kobie McKinzie
OL Logan Howland

Doubtful:
WR Keontez Lewis
OL Derek Simmons

Out:
OL Troy Everett
OL Jacob Sexton
OL Jake Taylor

No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (6-2, 3-2)

Questionable:
LB Arion Carter

Out:
DB Rickey Gibson III
WR Travis Smith Jr.
DB Jermod McCoy

Barnes has missed the past four games after suffering an injury in the pregame during Red River Rivalry game against Texas. Freshman Tory Blaylock has stepped up in his absence, including with a 100-yard performance against South Carolina in Week 8. He should be expected to continue to be part of the offensive gameplan whether Barnes returns for this matchup or not.

For Williams, he missed last week’s loss against Ole Miss after suffering what appeared to be a shoulder injury the week prior. The redshirt junior has 10 tackled and two passes defended on the season.

Since this is an SEC matchup, Oklahoma and Tennessee will both release availability reports throughout the week. In addition to Wednesday’s injury report, there will also be reports released on Thursday and Friday, then one final report that comes out 90 minutes before kickoff. All availability reports can be found on the SEC’s website.

This is the second meeting between Tennessee coach Josh Heupel and his alma mater, whom he quarterbacked to a national championship in 2000. Heupel led the Vols to a 25-15 win last year in Norman, and will hope to replicate those results this time around in Knoxville.

Obviously, injuries on both sides will play a factor in determining the outcome of this game, so the availability report is certainly worth monitoring throughout this week. Kickoff between Oklahoma and Tennessee is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.