A look at Tennessee’s injury situation ahead of South Carolina

Through four games, Tennessee has remained relatively healthy despite a few key absences, however, the injury report started to grow late in last week’s contest against UTSA. On Saturday night, the Vols face an important test against South Carolina and Volquest looks at the injury report ahead of the SEC East showdown.

LB Keenan Pili  

Keenan Pili remains out with an upper body injury, and a timetable for his return is unclear at this time. He continues to be active around the team during this time. 

DL Elijah Simmons 

Simmons has missed the first four games of the season due to a lowe body injury sustained in fall camp. His timeline has remained unclear but he has continued to progress in a positive manner as of late, sources have told Volquest. 

“A guy that has been great all training camp and really all offseason. He’ll be out for this one,” Vols Head Coach Josh Heupel said ahead of the Virginia contest. “But we’ll see where that goes moving forward.”

QB Joe Milton

The veteran QB was on the turf holding his left knee at one point late in the second half of the game against UTSA. He got sacked and the roll up effect on his leg looked ugly at first glance. After being down for a second, Milton hopped up and was able to compete in the second half of the game but was uncomfortable at the time. 

On Sunday morning, a picture of Milton checking in for an MRI started to circulate on social media, but according to Head Coach Josh Heupel, the Tennessee QB is good to go. 

“I can’t believe it took this long to get that question,” Heupel said during his weekly Monday press conference. “I know there’s a picture out there, but for us, routinely on Sundays, we’re gonna make sure that our players are healthy. We have diagnostics inside and with our doctors. But we’re gonna make sure that medically they check up on him as well. And Joe’s been good. Feels good. He’s with us today, so anticipate him being ready to go play really well.”

Center Cooper Mays 

Veteran offensive lineman Cooper Mays has not been able to suit up and compete for Tennessee since undergoing a “minor procedure” during fall camp. 

Mays has continued to progress and this could finally be the week when he gets back in the starting lineup. 

“He has practiced really well like those other guys I spoke about,” Heupel said. “We will be sure through tomorrow and obviously gameday that they are ready to go compete at the level that you need to in this one. South Carolina is big, strong, physical and explosive up front. Hopefully we will have him locked, loaded and ready to roll.”

DB Doneiko Slaughter

Slaughter was a late scratch for game against Florida and Josh Heupel did not add much insight at the time, simply stating, “wasn’t available” during the post-game press conference. 

While Tennessee was hopeful Slaughter could go last week against UTSA, his foot injury would not allow it. He will likely be a game time decision again. 

WR Ramel Keyton, Bru McCoy

Keyton hit the turf hard late in the second half during a diving attempt to catch a deep ball. He did not return for the remainder of the contest but the expectation is he will be ready for Saturday night.

McCoy left the contest also and did not return but he appeared ready at one point to go back in the game and Tennessee opted for caution. He is also expected to be a full participant on Saturday night. 

“All the receivers are available for Saturday,” Tennessee Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope said earlier this week . “Everybody’s good. Coach Heup, I’m sure will address the injury report. But yeah, we’re all in good shape.”

OL John Campbell

The veteran offensive lineman left Tennessee’s contest against UTSA with an undisclosed injury and did not return. He will be one to watch during pre-game, but the early expectation is that he is available and plays for the Vols on Saturday night at his left tackle position.

“All the guys that you didn’t see at the end of last week had a really good week,” Josh Heupel said earlier this week. “As always it’s gametime decisions, but I feel really good about all of them.”

RB Jaylen Wright 

Wright also left Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury. He has progressed through the week and is on track to carry the ball for Tennessee on Saturday night. Wright will be a pivotal part of what Tennessee looks to do offensively against a South Carolina team that has struggled against the run. 

LB Aaron Beasley

The star linebacker dealt with what appeared to be a nagging injury late in last week’s contest. All indications this week have pointed toward Beasley being a full-go on Saturday night. Beasley has been the centerpiece of Tennessee’s defense this fall and will be vital in the Vols attempt to slow down Spencer Rattler.

Freshman DL Tyree Weathersby, RB Desean Bishop, DL Nathan Robinson (OUT)

Tennessee freshmen Tyree Weathersby and Desean Bishop both suffered long-term injuries around the same time in fall camp. Weathersby will be out for the season with a lower extremity injury, while Bishop’s injury could allow him to return at some point, but he could miss an extended period of time. 

“Weathersby will be out for the year. Deshaun is not out for the year but will be out for an extended period of time. Probably a couple of months,” Josh Heupel said on August 16th.

New to the injury report is freshman defensive lineman Nathan Robinson. The newcomer is expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time with an upper body injury. 

DB Christian Charles (OUT)

Charles left last week’s contest against Austin Peay with an ankle injury. He is expected to miss an extended period of time for the Vols following the injury. He has continued to battle injuries throughout his career.