Kentucky @ Vols: Coleman Thomas Will Be Available

On Wednesday, during the weekly SEC coaches teleconference, Butch Jones said true freshman right tackle Coleman Thomas will be available on Saturday against Kentucky.

But that doesn’t mean Thomas will be starting, as he was before his injury.

Jones said on Monday that redshirt senior Jacob Gilliam is Tennessee’s starting right tackle.

Gilliam has definitely done a better job at right tackle than Thomas. There’s no doubt about that. But Gilliam, who is playing with a torn ACL, is on borrowed time.

The Vols don’t appear to be limiting Gilliam’s snaps and are letting him go as far as his knee will allow. How much longer he has is anyone’s guess. Gilliam could finish the final three games of the season, or his knee could prevent him from making it through the Vols’ next contest.

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That’s why the return of Thomas is actually quite important. Tennessee was already lacking depth at the position. Losing Thomas just magnified that.

In fact, the Vols were quite lucky that Gilliam was able/willing to return. If not for his return, the Vols might’ve had to burn Dontavius Blair’s redshirt (who is likely redshirting for developmental purposes) or explore other (less than enticing) options.

Thomas will probably rotate in some at right tackle against Kentucky, in order to take some of the strain off Gilliam.

The Virginia native hasn’t played since Joshua Dobbs took over as the Vols’ starting quarterback. So while Thomas looked bad at times with Worley under center, the added elements to the offense under Dobbs might actually help his development.

The return of Thomas may seem minor, but make no mistake — it’s a big deal for Tennessee.

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