Tennessee Vols morning report: Injuries, another helmet stripe removal
Injuries to a former and current Tennessee Vols player, Jordan McRae’s new team and Cheyenne Labruzza lead the Volunteers news for Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
Welcome to the start of a new work week. The start of the Tennessee Vols football season is exactly 14 days away.
To nobody’s shock, our news on Rocky Top recapping the weekend mostly deals with that. We have another helmet stripe removal and a key injury to one player leading the news on that front.
There’s also news surrounding a former football Vol and basketball Vol.
Other fall sports are underway, and we have a recap of one game to bring you in one of them as well. So it’s safe to say the new athletics season is here.
Let’s start, though, with the news surrounding the football team.
Receiver Josh Smith injured – Jimmy Hyams Twitter account
Tennessee Vols senior slot wide receiver Josh Smith has had a rough offseason, and it just got rougher. After missing the spring due to injury, he has now suffered another one. This follows last year, when he was off and on due to injuries, which is why Tyler Byrd had more yards. Now, it looks like Byrd is going to once again be the main slot guy.
"Vols senior WR Josh Smith is out about 4-8 weeks with apparent broken collarbone suffered during Sunday practice."
DB Cheyenne Labruzza has helmet stripe removed – Wes Rucker, GoVols247
Tennessee Vols freshman Cheyenne Labruzza had his helmet stripe removed over the weekend. As a freshman defensive back, Labruzza plays at a very deep position despite numerous questions surrounding it. So there’s a great chance he sees some action this year there.
"Labruzza is the fourth summer enrollee to have his stripe removed in camp. Three of those four have been defenders, and all three were defensive backs. Freshman safety Theo Jackson and freshman cornerback Shawn Shamburger also have had their stripes removed, while freshman tight end LaTrell Bumphus remains the only summer enrollee on offense to have earned that honor."
Derek Barnett hurt – Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk
Former Tennessee Vols defensive end Derek Barnett made a huge impact his first two preseason games with the Philadelphia Eagles, picking up three sacks. But while he’s pushing for playing time, it looks like he’s gotten a bit banged up. Barnett has a lower body injury and didn’t practice with the team Sunday.
"(Doug) Pederson said that Barnett is day-to-day to return to action. Pederson said last Friday that the plan was to get Barnett early work in this Thursday’s game against the Dolphins, something which could be at risk if the injury lingers into the week."
Jordan McRae signs with European basketball team – Euroleague.net
Former Tennessee Vols basketball guard Jordan McRae has signed a one-year deal with Saski Baskonia. McRae helped lead Cuonzo Martin’s final team to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014 and has seen action in each of the past two NBA seasons, mostly with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz has found a scorer on the perimeter by hiring former NBA champion Jordan McRae for the coming season. McRae (1.96 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Cleveland, with whom he won the NBA title in 2016 in a reserve role."
Tennessee Vols soccer defeats George Mason – UTSports
The Tennessee women’s soccer team moved to 2-0 Sunday after a 1-0 victory over the George Mason Patriots. It was also the second road win for the Vols, as they defeated the Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis on Friday.
"Playing practically a hometown game, junior forward Meghan Flynn scored a game winner to lift Tennessee to a 1-0 win over George Mason on Sunday at George Mason Stadium."