Joey Aguilar injury update: ESPN broadcast reveals new ailment vs. Alabama

Joey Aguilar is experiencing the Third Saturday of October for the first time in his career. A second quarter touchdown drive tied Tennessee up with Alabama, a nice throw to the back of the endzone from Aguilar. However, it’s the play before that currently has most people’s attention.

Scrambling out to his left, Aguilar had to eat a sack near the sideline. Two Alabama players met him there and laid a good hit on him. Staying down on the ground for a while, turns out, Aguilar’s neck is currently bothering him. It’s something getting looked at on the sideline while Tennessee plays defense.

“Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar took a hard hit on that last drive,” ESPN’s Molly McGrath said. “Tennessee training staff rushed over to him when he was on the sideline and they were looking at the back of his neck — they still are. He tried to move his neck around and was in visible discomfort. They massaged the area and he keeps testing the mobility of his neck. It’s very obviously bothering him.”

***UPDATE*** Aguilar came back on the field with Tennessee’s offense shortly after McGrath’s report. However, backup Jake Merklinger did throw a few passes on the sideline, according to play-by-play commentator Sean McDonough. Something to watch moving forward, especially if Alabama can continue to get their hands on Aguilar.

Aguilar continues to be one of the top stories in all of college football. His emergence in Knoxville has been very well received by the fans, mainly after the departure of Nico Iamaleava. Getting a win over Alabama would only add to the lore Aguilar has built for himself thus far. Unfortunately, it appears as if a neck issue will be present throughout the rest of the night.

Joey Aguilar returns to injury tent after Tennessee safety

The drive in which Aguilar took the field eventually resulted in a safety. Pressure got in his face and after slipping on the Bryant-Denny Stadium grass, a throwaway turned into intentional grounding. Aguilar left the field and immediately went back into the injury tent.

“After that safety, Joey Aguilar went straight to the injury tent,” McGrath said. “Athletic training staff took his shoulder pads off in there. Remember, he was dealing with an apparent neck injury. He was still testing the mobility of his neck on the sideline. But he asked for his helmet right away after exiting the tent.”