Vols Football: Injury Updates, Depth Chart for Ole Miss Game Revealed

The Vols are getting healthier, but there are still plenty of injury concerns moving forward. PHOTO: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones addressed the media in his weekly Monday press conference today, and he shed some light on some of the banged-up Vols heading into this weekend’s matchup with No. 3 Ole Miss.

Running back Devrin Young sustained a couple fractured ribs in Saturday’s 45-10 victory over Chattanooga, and he will not practice this week. Wide receiver Josh Smith will not practice to begin the week, but no timetable has been set for his return.

Jones said all the other injured players are “expected to practice” and be available for the Ole Miss game. That includes Jalen Hurd, Von Pearson, Ethan Wolf, and several other nicked up Vols.

Jones did say that one reason freshman running back Jalen Hurd left Saturday’s game after only 2 carries was because he sustained an injury. The injury is not considered serious and won’t keep him out of this weekend’s game against Ole Miss.

As reported earlier, Joe Henderson is away from the Vols due to “personal reasons,” and Butch Jones shed some light on that situation as well, stating that he was removed from practice by the NCAA and must “do some things academically” moving forward.

Depth Chart notes:

There weren’t many significant changes to the depth chart heading into this weekend’s game, but one stands to note. Freshman Evan Berry is listed as the lone kick returning on the chart. Devrin Young is not listed, and no other player is listed as a co-starter alongside Berry.

Josh Malone is still listed as a starter at wide receiver, but Von Pearson is still expected to play. He’ll likely receive more snaps, but it remains to be seen how many.

Jones also stated he and his staff will keep the starting five offensive linemen intact and will not change the lineup in the foreseeable future.