Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel delivered some positive injury updates on Wednesday afternoon in Knoxville as the Vols continue to rest and recover during the bye week.
Tennessee’s receiver core has been widely talked about this week with veteran Bru McCoy out for the season with an ankle injury. The Vols still have Ramel Keyton and Squirrel White from the starting unit but will also turn to former Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton to pick up some of McCoy’s production.
The only problem with that, though, is that Thornton didn’t play against South Carolina last week while he was sidelined with an injury. Thornton was ruled out before the game and did not go through any pregame warm-up.
Josh Heupel provided a positive update on Thornton’s status on Wednesday.
“Dont’e wasn’t available last week,” Heupel said. “Anticipate him being full speed when we get to (Texas) A&M.”
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Two other players who missed the game for Tennessee last week came from the offensive line: left guard Andrej Karic and right tackle Jeremiah Crawford.
Heupel also sounded optimistic about their status, too.
“I think they’ll be available as we get to next week,” Heupel quickly said.
Heupel has now mentioned twice since the conclusion of Saturday night’s South Carolina game that the bye week is coming at an optimal time for the banged-up Volunteers.
“We’re a football team that needs to get healthy,” Heupel said about defeating the Gamecocks. “I usually get the question, is it coming at the right time? For us right now, I would say it’s coming at the right time. We need to get healthy and get some young guys to grow.”
The Vols will be off this week but will be back in Neyland Stadium the following weekend. A big opportunity awaits Tennessee as the Texas A&M Aggies (4-1, 2-0 SEC) roll into town behind head coach Jimbo Fisher and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Tennessee will host Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. ET in Knoxville on October 14. The game will be broadcasted on CBS.
