Tennessee will take the practice field for the first time this spring on Monday afternoon at 4:15 pm ET. The Vols will do so without at least 11 players, who will be held out this spring due to injury.
WR Josh Malone, DE Derek Barnett, DT Shy Tuttle, DT Kendal Vickers, DE Kyle Phillips, DE Andrew Butcher, OL Jashon Robertson, OL Chance Hall, DB Evan Berry, TE Joe Stocstill and RB Joe Young will all be out this spring, Butch Jones confirmed on Monday morning. DT Alexis Johnson, who was arrested in February and is suspended indefinitely, isn’t listed on the updated spring roster as his future remains in question.
Wide receiver Vincent Perry, who missed all of 2015 with an injury, will be “limited” Jones said, as he fights off a hamstring injury. Jones also confirmed that Tuttle might not be ready to return to full speed until late June or early July as he recovers from two foot surgeries.
There will also be a trio of position swaps: former WR Jason Croom to TE, former LB Austin Smith to DE and former CB Micah Abernathy to safety.
Defensive back Rashaan Gaulden will also work at safety as the Vols look for depth at a position that currently only has three scholarship players at it coming into spring.
