When the Vols play Alabama on Saturday, it’s likely that Tennessee will be without Coleman Thomas, their starting left tackle.
During Vol calls on Wednesday night, Butch Jones said he does not anticipate that Thomas will play on Saturday. He added that Tennessee is “never going to play a player who didn’t practice much during the week”.
Offensive line coach Don Mahoney suggested that Jacob Gilliam, who is playing with a torn ACL, would start at right tackle if Thomas is unable to go.
#Vols O-line coach Don Mahoney suggested Jacob Gilliam would slide into Coleman Thomas's starting spot if the freshman can't play.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) October 22, 2014
Gilliam injured his ACL in the season opener against Utah State. It was assumed he would miss the rest of his senior season, but he actually returned to practice during the Vols’ week of preparation for the Florida game. Gilliam returned to game action against Ole Miss.
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It wouldn’t surprise me to also see Brett Kendrick get some time at left tackle. It’s a lot to ask of a guy to play an entire game on a torn ACL, even though there’s little doubt that Gilliam is prepared to do just that.
Coleman Thomas may very well have a bright future at Tennessee, but a combination of Gilliam/Kendrick might be a better situation for the Vols in the present.