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Injury Update: The latest on Tennessee Football five-star freshman David Sanders Jr.

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey09/06/25GrantRamey
Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. (70) on the sidelines during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.
Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. (70) on the sidelines during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.

For the second straight week, Tennessee Football will be without five-star freshman tackle David Sanders Jr. Saturday afternoon in the home opener against ETSU. Last week Sanders was a surprise scratch for the season opener against Syracuse after suffering an injury in practice.

Sources told Volquest’s Brent Hubbs and Austin Price that Sanders is expected to be out again this week as he continues to recover and rehab from that injury.  After the 45-26 win over Syracuse, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said they would always be cautious with injuries. 

“Anticipated him being able to play,” Heupel said during his postgame press conference after Tennessee’s 45-26 win. “This morning, our medical staff just felt like probably wasn’t the right thing to do. We are always going to be mindful of our guys and their health.”

Defensive tackle Nathan Robinson, who forced a key fumble on a sack against Syracuse, is expected to be available vs. ETSU after suffering an ankle sprain in the season opener. Robinson finished the game and could have been available today.

Defensive lineman Tyree Weathersby, who was limited this week, will not play after getting banged up a bit against Syracuse.

Home Opener: No. 22 Tennessee vs. ETSU, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Heupel added last week that he expected to have his starting right tackle play in his first career game today. 

“Anticipate him being back as we get going next week,” Heupel said.

With Sanders out, redshirt freshman Jesse Perry will make his second straight start at right tackle, with Wendell Moe playing right guard. Sam Pendleton is the starting center with Shamurad Umarov and Lance Heard anchoring the left side. 

Bennett Warren is the first tackle off the bench capable of playing right or left tackle. 

The question will be how does Tennessee manage the offensive line next week against Georgia in the SEC opener if Sanders is back. Will the five-star freshman’s first college start and first college snaps come against the Bulldogs? 

Tennessee missing at least four players on defense

Tennessee is also without Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs in the defensive interior. Moi listed as week to week while Hobbs will miss a couple more weeks before returning from the foot injury he suffered in fall camp. 

Obviously Tennessee is without cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III. McCoy is continuing to rehab from the torn ACL he suffered back in January and Gibson was hurt in the first half last week. Heupel said Gibson would miss multiple weeks.

“Rickey will be out for an extended period here,” Heupel said during his weekly Monday press conference. “How long, I don’t have the exact time table but he’ll be out for extended time.”

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