In 2023, the injury bug hit Tennessee Football hard. The Vols didn’t necessarily have more injuries than other teams. They just happened to have them at the key positions where they weren’t too deep. This year, despite being deeper, that’s still a concern, and many key players at certain positions are injury prone. Here are the five biggest injury concerns for UT entering 2024.
5. Bru McCoy
Dont’e Thornton and Bru McCoy both suffered season-ending injuries last year. However, the wide receiver position is even deeper now with the additions of Chris Brazzell II, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, so no injury will be devastating. Still, McCoy is the one proven receiver who can dictate coverage, and losing him hurt last year, so it could hurt again this year.
4. Keenan Pili
Jeremiah Telander’s emergence is why Tennessee Football wouldn’t suffer the same blow this year that it suffered last year when Keenan Pili went down with a season-ending injury in the opener. Still, if Pili gets hurt again, there will be a drop-off from the possibilities he brings given his talents. Losing him last year so early was a killer.
3. Arion Carter
With Aaron Beasley gone, Arion Carter is the only player we know can work out at mike linebacker to this point. Although he’s a rising superstar, the Nico Iamaleava of the defense, he was hurt all last year and ended up missing the end of the season. As a result, his health is a concern, and where UT turns at this linebacker spot without him is even a bigger one.
2. Javontez Spraggins
One of the most proven players on the team, Javontez Spraggins’ blocking on the interior offensive line for running plays is what sparks the Tennessee Football offense. He went down with a season-ending injury late too, though, and the offensive line is super thin, so without him, the Vols could be in serious trouble. Spraggins’ run-blocking is key to Josh Heupel’s system.
1. Cooper Mays
Is there any doubt about this one? Tennessee Football lost to the Florida Gators last year because Cooper Mays was hurt at center. Mays is incredibly smart, has the right size and is well-conditioned, and Heupel never really has been able to find a backup for him at the position. He also played hurt through lots of 2021, so Mays is easily the player whose health is of the biggest concern.
