Tennessee coach Josh Heupel denies Boo Carter injury claim

Tennessee Football coach Josh Heupel denies the claim made by Boo Carter that he is injured. The sophomore defensive back and punt returner was dismissed from the Vols on Sunday, but posted on social media that he had suffered a season-ending injury and had decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

During his weekly press conference on Monday, Heupel was asked if Carter had been injured recently and if he should have been listed on the SEC availability report in recent weeks.

“No sir,” Heupel said. “Not based on our trainers.”

Up Next: No. 20 Tennessee at Florida, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Carter wasn’t at Neyland Stadium for Tennessee’s 42-9 win over New Mexico State on Saturday. He fielded punts two weeks earlier in the loss against Oklahoma, but hadn’t played on defense since the Kentucky game on October 25.

In a statement on social media on Sunday Carter claimed his season was over due to injury and he was headed to the NCAA Transfer Portal.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years,” Carter wrote. “Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!”

The relationship between Carter and the Vols was an issue long before Sunday’s dismissal. He had unexcused absences from team activities in July, just before Tennessee started fall camp.

Heupel gave Carter the opportunity to apologize in front of his teammates and earn his way back onto the practice field, after discussing the issue with the team’s leadership group.

On Monday Heupel was asked if regretted giving Carter a second chance with the Vols.

“Not regretful,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s our job as coaches to try to help mold these guys. That’s part of the commitment we make in the recruiting process, and when they decide to come. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. At the end of the day, we’re moving forward.”

‘At the end of the day there’s a standard you’ve got to meet’

Carter this season had 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three passes defended, three forced fumbles and a sack in nine games. He has returned 11 punts for a total of 145 yards, averaging 13.2 yards per return. 

He returned four punts for 94 yards against ETSU in September, then two for 35 yards two weeks later against UAB. Outside of those two games, Carter has a total of 16 yards on five returns.

As a freshman last season Carter had 38 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in 13 games. 

The Chattanooga native was a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class out of Bradley Central High School. He was the No. 111 overall player in the Rivals Industry rankings and was the No. 3 athlete in the class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Tennessee.

Heupel said during his postgame press conference Saturday night that Carter wasn’t with the team against New Mexico State after failing to live up to the “standard” within the football program.

“At the end of the day there’s a standard you’ve got to meet to be in that locker room,” Heupel said. “He was not out on the field with us. That will be my last response related to that right now.”