Tennessee small forward Josiah-Jordan James is out for Tennessee against Austin Peay, a Tennessee spokesperson told RockyTopInsider Wednesday.
James has been in-and-out of the lineup for Tennessee this season while dealing with a knee injury that limited him in the preseason following an offseason scope.
The senior wing played Tennessee’s first three games of the season but has played only two games since — wins over Alcorn State and Eastern Kentucky — and has missed the Vols last two games.
James said the injury would be a “game-to-game thing” the rest of the season following the Eastern Kentucky game. As Tennessee prepares for the start of SEC play, James absence against the Governors is no surprise.
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James hasn’t been the only key Vol to miss playing time this season. Star senior shooting guard Santiago Vescovi missed two games with a left shoulder strain. Vescovi returned against Maryland and has played on the banged up shoulder in the Vols’ last two games
In five games this season, James is averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Tennessee is 9-2 on the season and looking to bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Arizona before the final matchup of the pre conference slate and before the Christmas break.
