A pair of Tennessee skill players are out for the second half of the Vols’ rivalry matchup against Vanderbilt. Both receiver Dont’e Thornton and running back Peyton Lewis are out with injuries, a UT spokesperson confirmed to RTI.
Thornton had a huge first half for Tennessee catching three passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The senior receiver caught passes of 28 yards and 86 yards for a touchdown. He suffered his injury on a three-yard screen pass on Tennessee’s final drive of the first half.
The big play receiver did not go down for the injury but did limp off to the sidelines while holding his lower back and was not on the field for the rest of the drive.
More From RTI: Tennessee WR Bru McCoy Doubtful Against Vanderbilt Due To Injury
Tennessee’s receivers were already thin entering the game with Bru McCoy ruled doubtful after a hamstring injury flared up in pregame warmups. McCoy is dressed out on the sideline but has yet to play.
Peyton Lewis was getting backup running back snaps in the first half but suffered an injury after being stuffed on a third and short run in the first quarter. Redshirt freshman DeSean Bishop is back in the lineup against Vanderbilt after missing the previous three games with an injury he suffered against Kentucky.
At the time of publication, starting running back Dylan Sampson is in the injury tent after taking a hard hit on the opening drive of the second half. At the time of publication, Tennessee leads Vanderbilt 31-17.
Stay tuned to RockyTopInsider.com the rest of the day for further injury updates and complete coverage of Tennessee’s matchup against Vanderbilt.
