Cedric Tillman is expected to play against Kentucky

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Tennessee’s offense is scoring over 50 points per game and is up to No. 3 in the AP Top 25. The Vols have gotten to this point without being at full strength. That will change on Saturday night against Kentucky.

Preseason All-SEC wideout Cedric Tillman has missed four full games since suffering a high ankle sprain injury in the win over Akron in Week 3. After undergoing surgery and receiving time off, the Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman product has been a participant in practice this week and should return to the field on Saturday.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that the redshirt senior is “expected to return” against Kentucky.

Sources: Tennessee star wide receiver Cedric Tillman is expected to return against Kentucky this weekend. He’s practiced at full speed this week and has been cleared to play.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 28, 2022

Through three games this year, Tillman has 17 receptions on 28 targets for 246 yards and one touchdown. In Tennessee’s overtime win over Pittsburgh in Week 2, the 6-foot-3 wideout reeled in nine receptions for 118 yards on a high-volume 18 targets.

Last year, Tillman emerged as WR1 in this offense leading the Vols in targets (86), receptions (64), receiving yards (1,081), and receiving touchdowns (12). In the matchup with Kentucky last year, Tillman logged six receptions for 79 yards before ending the season with four consecutive 100-yard performances.

The Vols had a clear go-to guy heading into 2022, but that might have changed during Tillman’s absence. Playing out of the slot in Tennessee’s spread scheme, Jalin Hyatt has emerged as one of the top receivers in college football. The junior has logged 22 receptions for 502 yards and nine touchdowns since Tillman has been missing from the lineup. The former top-200 recruit is well on his way to All-American honors.

But Hyatt may have to split some of that target share with Tillman upon the recent news. Regardless, Heisman Trophy contender Hendon Hooker now has another weapon to use in college football’s most explosive passing attack.

The challenge will be stiff for Kentucky on Saturday night with Hooker, Hyatt, and Tillman all on the field together at once for the first time in over a month.