Vols Football: Injury Updates and Depth Chart Analysis

The Vols had some time to heal up with the open date, but several guys will still be out and banged up. PHOTO: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones gave out some injury updates for some Vols during his weekly press conference today, some of them good and some bad.

Wide receiver Josh Smith “had exploratory surgery” this weekend to see if he needed further surgery on his ankle. They discovered he did, and he had season-ending surgery on his high ankle sprain. Jones did state, however, that they expect him to be able to obtain a medical redshirt.

Defensive tackle Trevariss Saulsberry is not expected to be available this weekend, but everyone else is expected to play, including wide receiver Marquez North.

Offensive tackle Coleman Thomas “has been practicing,” but Jones stated that “Jacob Gilliam is our right tackle.”

Depth Chart Analysis

There is no “or” at the quarterback position for the Vols this week, as Josh Dobbs is listed as the starter for this weekend’s game against Kentucky. Derrell Scott is listed as the No. 2 running back behind Jalen Hurd with Marlin Lane in the third spot.

The starting offensive line (at least for now) is listed as Kyler Kerbyson, Marcus Jackson, Mack Crowder, Jashon Robertson, and Jacob Gilliam. Brett Kendrick is no longer listed as a starter, and Coleman Thomas has lost his spot to Gilliam, as mentioned earlier.