After five straight games as the starting quarterback for Tennessee, it looks like Vols’ QB Hendon Hooker is set to start his sixth against Alabama according to a report from WBIR.
On Friday, On3 Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that Hooker was expected to be “OK to start against the Crimson Tide.” Additionally, WBIR’s report on Friday night was along the same lines.
“A source told WBIR that Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is expected to start on Saturday against Alabama barring any setbacks,” the Channel 10 News outlet’s report read.
During the second-to-last drive against Ole Miss last Saturday, Hooker sustained an injury that led to a cautious week of practice.
“Hendon [Hooker], Tiyon [Evans], and Cade [Mays] are probably day-to-day at this point,” Heupel said during his Monday press conference. “We will see as the week unfolds where we end up with Hendon.”
However, as the week went on, Heupel did get more optimistic about Hooker’s health.
“Hendon [Hooker] has gotten some work throughout the course of the week,” Heupel said on Thursday. “The other guys (Bailey, Milton) have gotten some work. Medically, we will make a determination where all those guys are at here when we get through tomorrow’s practice. At the end of the day, our medical staff is a decision-maker as far as if guys are ready to play or are they not.”
Hooker has been getting better by the week since taking over as the starting quarterback in Week 3. The transfer quarterback has increased his passing yards each week except for one and has yet to throw an interception since Week 2.
Tennessee will be going up against its toughest test of the season to date on Saturday night. The fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1 SEC) will welcome in the Tennessee Volunteers (4-3, 2-2 SEC) in an SEC showdown under the lights.
