Josh Heupel updates injury status of DeSean Bishop, Braylon Staley and Joey Aguilar

Josh Heupel said Saturday night that he’s not concerned about the injury suffered by Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop in the third quarter of the 34-31 win over Arkansas at Neyland Stadium.

Bishop appeared to injure his right leg after a 26-yard run. He had 14 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.

“I don’t think it’s a long-term deal at all,” Heupel said during his postgame press conference.

Bishop was examined by trainers before leaving the field under his own power, without a noticeable limp. He did not return to the game. 

Up Next: Tennessee at Alabama, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) finished with 264 yards on 40 carries as a team. Peyton Lewis scored on a 2-yard touchdown run after Bishop left the game, then added a 2-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter. Lewis finished with eight carries for 33 yards.

“You guys have heard me say it,” Heupel said, “I don’t care where you’re at, how much you’ve played, you get into this stretch inside the SEC, the next guy is going to be called upon.

“Those running backs have all played well throughout the course of it. And it was a huge (touchdown) run there by Peyton, really down the stretch in late third and fourth quarter. He played really well.”

Wide receiver Braylon Staley also left the game with an injury in the second half, but again Heupel was not concerned after the game. Staley led the Vols with six catches on eight targets for 109 yards, with a long of 42.

“Braylon, he was celebrating, having fun in the locker room,” Heupel said, “so I anticipate he can be ready to go.”

The Vols go to No. 8 Alabama (6-1, 3-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. 

QB Joey Aguilar left game briefly late in fourth quarter

Quarterback Joey Aguilar briefly left the game late in the fourth quarter after a 28-yard run. He landed on the football while being tackled and said after the game that the wind was knocked out of him. 

Aguilar completed 16 of 25 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown and ran five times for a season-high 59 yards. Backup quarterback Jake Merklinger replaced Aguilar.

“He just turned the numbers into our favor there at the end,” Heupel said of the 28-yard run Aguilar was hurt on. “Wanted him to get down once the play is over. Just knocked the wind out of himself. So in that way it’s positive, but I would like him to not take that hit at the very end.”