Josh Heupel: Injured David Sanders 'chomping at the bit' to return when cleared

Josh Heupel said Wednesday that freshman David Sanders Jr. offensive tackle is “chomping at the bit” to return but is still awaiting clearance from Tennessee Football’s medical staff after missing the first three weeks of the season.

Heupel was asked Wednesday during his weekly appearance on the SEC Coaches Teleconference if Sanders would be available when No. 15 Tennessee (2-1) hosts UAB (2-1) on Saturday (12:45 p.m. Eastern Time, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” Heupel said. “I talked about that on Monday. It’s something where he’s not necessarily in control of it. And when I say that, it’s a unique situation.”

‘Unique injury’ has sidelined David Sanders for first three games

“A unique injury” is how Heupel described it during his press conference on Monday, adding that “doctors are uncertain.”

“That’s why he’s kind of been day to day for a while here,” Heupel said, “and (it has been) uncertain.”

Heupel described a timeline for return that is also uncertain. After hosting UAB, Tennessee goes to Mississippi State next Saturday, then has its first bye week on October 4.

“It’s not like a sprained ankle,” he said. “And I say that, meaning there’s not a definitive timeline, and so he’s been having to fight through that. Guy wants to be out there. It hurts him badly. Our football team, guys in his position room can see that, but he’s been a good teammate too. 

“And I think as a young guy, staying the course through something that’s a little bit unknown, is hard. He’s done a good job with it. Just going to continue to do that and hopefully our doctors can clear him relatively quickly.”

David Sanders was injured in practice on August 27

Sanders, listed as Tennessee’s starting right tackle on Tennessee’s depth chart, has missed the first three games of the season after suffering an upper body injury late in practice on August 27.

He was ruled out for the 45-26 season-opening win over Syracuse on August 30 in Atlanta just a few hours before kickoff.

Sanders, the former five-star prospect a five-star prospect and a top-10 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, was ranked No. 9 overall, was the No. 2 offensive tackle and was the No. 1 player in the state of North Carolina, out of Providence Day School in Charlotte.

“He’s chomping at the bit,” Heupel said. “He’s been a great teammate through the adversity. It’s another thing that, in particular, our young guys have to learn or navigate. At some point in this game, everyone gets nicked up. He’s done a great job of mentally staying engaged.

“As soon as our medical staff clears him, he’ll be ready to go play.”