Tennessee’s latest injury report should only increase the Vols’ chances of beating the Florida Gators on in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
Three Tennessee receivers that were listed as either questionable or doubtful are suddenly ready to go after a week of practice, per the updated report, which was released on Friday. The Vols also apparently got healthier in the secondary as defensive back Christian Harris was removed from the injury report after being deemed “probable” earlier in the week. However, the Vols clearly will benefit most from a much healthier receiving corp.
Wideout Dont’e Thornton was originally listed on the Vol’s injury report as “doubtful” when it was released on Wednesday. Now, he’s not even mentioned on the updated injury report. Fellow receivers Bru McCoy and Squirrel White are apparently back at close to full strength as they have been upgraded from “probable” to not even mentioned on the updated report.
Thornton was injured against Arkansas with an apparent lower-body issue. However, he returned to the game against the Razorbacks. McCoy suffered a hand injury against Arkansas, but also returned to the game. He is expected to wear a special brace to protect himself. That, obviously, could lead to issues when he’s asked to catch the ball.
White suffered an apparent arm injury against Arkansas and did not return to the game. However, he appears ready to go against the Gators.
There was also good news for Florida as starting left tackle Austin Barber, defensive lineman Joey Slackman and safeties D.J. Douglas and Bryce Thornton were all upgraded from questionable. However, Barber’s backup at left tackle, Devon Manuel, was listed as “out” of the Tennessee game.
“Austin got banged up in practice Tuesday, wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday. And then obviously, it’s to be determined based off of the progress that he makes Thursday, Friday,” Florida coach Billy Napier said earlier this week. “But we listed him as questionable, and I would say that’s probably pretty accurate. If he’s able to play, he’ll play. He wants to play this one pretty bad.”
Tennessee can certainly empathize with the Gators when it comes to injuries at offensive tackle as the Vols have dealt with numerous injuries at the position. However, there were no Tennessee offensive linemen named on the injury reports at any point this week.
