Some notes and observations from the offensive side of the ball at the open portion of Tennessee’s practice on Tuesday afternoon:
Injury update: There was no sign of center Mack Crowder (ankle, knee) during the open portion of practice. Butch Jones said on Monday that Crowder would try to practice on Monday, but with him not being out there Tuesday, it seems like there’s a good chance that Dylan Wiesman will make his second career start at Vandy.
Jalen Hurd and Marlin Lane both worked in green, non-contact jerseys, though both should just be considered precautionary. Derrell Scott, who hasn’t dressed out the past couple of games continues to practice with a cast on his hand. Devrin Young still hasn’t returned to practice.
Offensive line: It appears no changes will be made to an offensive line that gave up six sacks to Missouri. At least in individual drills, the first-team offensive line remained Kyler Kerbyson, Marcus Jackson, Wiesman, Jashon Robertson and Jacob Gilliam.
Here’s what Jones said on Monday about the factors for the six sacks:
“It’s a combination. All eyes point to the offensive line. You look at a stat sheet and say you gave up this many sacks, but sometimes as a byproduct of our receivers not getting open, it was a byproduct of Josh sometimes leaving the pocket too soon.
“It’s different in the national football league than in college football. Any time you’re tackled beyond the line of scrimmage, it count as a sack. It’s taken off your rushing totals. So sometimes those numbers are misconstrued a little bit. I think it was a combination.”
Quarterbacks: For the one period of throwing that was viewable, Joshua Dobbs was a little shaky, with Jones at least once imploring his starting quarterback to give him consistency. He bounced back later in the drill, earning praise from Jones. Be sure to watch our practice video for film of the QBs and WRs working.
Other notes:
• The Vols started practice with their Circle of Life drill, a one-on-one battle to drive the other out of the ring that consists of the rest of their teammates.
• Jones once referred to the Vols as the “team from the East,” a reference to what Vandy coach Derek Mason said on Tuesday afternoon.
• In the past the Vols had been full pads on Tuesday, but the last few Tuesdays the Vols have practiced in just shorts and shoulder pads as Butch Jones has tried to keep the team as health any fresh as possible with their lack of depth.
