Who's in, who's out: No.21 Tennessee-South Carolina

No.21 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1) will look to extract revenge on South Carolina (2-2, 1-1) after the Gamecocks dashed their 2022 playoff chances. Tennessee has dealt with the injury bug of late with several key players leaving last week’s contest against UTSA. Ahead of tonight’s matchup, Volquest takes a final look at the official injury report.

WR Dont’e Thornton (OUT)

Tennessee wide receiver Don’te Thornton is out with an undisclosed injury. He has been a key piece in the rotation at wide receiver this season for the Vols, but he has dealt with drops at times. Tennessee will look to a younger receiver to step up in Thornton’s absence.

OL Andrej Karic (OUT)

The veteran offensive lineman is out with an undisclosed injury. He has been a starter at left guard for the Vols during the first four games of the season. Ollie Lane will get the start at left guard with Cooper Mays back at Center.

LB Keenan Pili  (OUT)

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. The Vols hope to get him back by November.

DL Elijah Simmons (Available)

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. He participated in warmups and will be available for the Vols tonight.

“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 (IN)

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 he is a full go for the Vols tonight against South Carolina.

“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 (IN)

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 got a lot of work in practice this week. He will start at Center tonight for the Vols.

“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 (Available)

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 is

WR Ramel Keyton, Bru McCoy (IN)

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 he is available and will go for the Vols tonight.

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 available for Tennessee tonight.

“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 (IN)

The veteran offensive lineman left Tennessee’s contest against UTSA with an undisclosed injury and did not return. He will start at left tackle tonight for the Vols.

“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 (IN)

Wright also left Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury. He has progressed through the week and is expected to start for Tennessee tonight at running back. 

LB Aaron Beasley (IN)

The star linebacker dealt with what appeared to be a nagging injury late in last week’s contest. All Beasley has been the centerpiece of Tennessee’s defense this fall and will be vital in the Vols attempt to slow down Spencer Rattler. He is a full go tonight for the Vols at linebacker.

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.