Derion Gullette, Mariyon Dye injury update: Miss State, Tennessee reveal status of key players on Friday report

On Saturday, No. 15 Tennessee and Mississippi State will square off at 4:15 p.m. ET. It’s the Bulldogs’ first SEC matchup this season, unlike the Volunteers, who suffered a 44-41 loss in overtime to No. 6 Georgia in Week 3.

While Tennessee has had a strong start to its season, the team has battled its fair share of injury issues. Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is projected to be a First Round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, still hasn’t played this season as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered last season.

Freshman offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. also hasn’t seen any action in the 2025 campaign, but is fighting to return. Mississippi State has far fewer injuries, but still isn’t expected to be at full-strength for the showdown, either. For both teams’ updated availability reports, look below.

No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers

TE Ethan Davis – OUT
DB Rickey Gibson III – OUT
DB Jermod McCoy – OUT
DL Daevin Hobbs – OUT
WR Radarious Jackson – OUT
RB Hunter Barnes – OUT
RB Daune Morris – OUT
DL Mariyon Dye – OUT
DL Jaxson Moi – PROBABLE
OL David Sanders Jr. – PROBABLE

Mississippi State Bulldogs

LB Derion Gullette – OUT
OL Blake Steen – OUT
DL Will Whitson – OUT

Tennessee bounced back from its loss to Georgia with a dominant 56-24 win over UAB in Week 4. In the victory, Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 15-of-his-22 pass attempts for 218 yards and three touchdowns, while only throwing one interception.

The Volunteers found a surplus of success in the ground game as well, racking up 239 total rushing yards and four scores. In contrast, UAB couldn’t find any holes in Tennessee’s run defense. The Volunteers held UAB to just 23 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Tennessee isn’t the only team off to a hot start this season. Mississippi State looks much improved in Year 2 under head coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs were 1-3 this time last year. Now, they’re 4-0, with a chance to knock off Tennessee.

Quarterback Blake Shapen has been key to Mississippi State’s uptick in success. He’s amassed 884 passing yards and seven touchdowns this season, while only throwing two interceptions.

Mississippi State’s best win of the season thus far was its 24-20 victory over No. 12 Arizona State, which was ranked No. 12 in the country at the time. In the triumph, the Bulldogs’ defense held ASU to 333 yards and forced the Sun Devils to commit two turnovers.

Mississippi State will need another complete effort to knock off Tennessee, which would likely launch them into the AP Top 25 Rankings for the first time since Jan. 2023. The Volunteers have won their last two meetings against Mississippi State and lead the all-time series 30-16-1.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.