Tennessee right tackle Gerald Mincey has practiced this week after exiting the Vols loss against Alabama due to injury. While Josh Heupel didn’t explicitly say that Mincey is available against Kentucky, the third-year coach’s update was positive.
“He’s been with us all week long so we always make those decisions on Friday but he’s been about there and (has) looked good,” Heupel said.
Mincey has been in-and-out of the lineup this season but has played well at right tackle when available. The former Florida transfer split playing time with Jeremiah Crawford early in the season before not playing offensive snaps at Florida after being cited for simple possession earlier in the week.
The senior offensive lineman returned to the lineup the following week against UTSA and began starting instead of coming off the bench. Mincey was the exclusive starter against South Carolina and started against both Texas A&M and Alabama.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Announces Uniform Combinations For Kentucky Game
However, Mincey left both the Texas A&M (second quarter) and Alabama (third quarter) games with injuries and didn’t return in either. With Mincey out, versatile lineman Dayne Davis played in his place at right tackle.
Mincey is in his second season inside the Volunteer program and is in his first season playing right tackle after splitting playing time with Crawford at left tackle a season ago. The Vols’ offensive line play, and pass protection in particular, has been markedly better this season with Mincey in the lineup.
Tennessee heads to Lexington Saturday looking for its third straight win over Kentucky. Both teams enter the game 5-2 (2-2 SEC) and are looking to bounce back from recent losses.
Kickoff between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday night. Mike Monaco, Jesse Palmer and Katie George are on the call for ESPN.
