All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s five priorities for bye week in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks with linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) during the first half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks with linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) during the first half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in overtime at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in overtime at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Weapons getting healthy

Related Story. Vols' stock report following Week 4 of 2022. light

Many of these issues suffered by Tennessee football could be solved by weapons getting healthy, and we’re not just talking about people out. To be fair, it starts with them, as Warren Burrell and Dee Williams being out at cornerback appears to have been a big deal. Juwan Mitchell is also still shaking off the rust at linebacker.

Those things could help with the pass defense. Jaylen Wright getting fully healthy after having to shake off the rust the first two games due to fall camp injuries should help his fumbling issues. However, the elephant in the room when it comes to injuries is two specific players.

Cedric Tillman missed the Florida game due to an ankle injury he suffered against Akron. Although he probably wasn’t a game-time decision, it wasn’t clear early in the week if he’d be out. As a result, with two weeks to go, he can spend more time healing, and UT will need him at LSU.

Then there’s Hendon Hooker, Against Florida, Hooker earned a lot of praise for his gutsy performance after suffering an upper-body injury in the first half on his fourth down fumble when the Vols trailed 14-10. He went off after that, but the bye is perfect timing, as Josh Heupel needs him at 100 percent down the stretch.

Vols' report card after win vs. Florida. dark. Next

Jabari Small was said to be banged up for Florida, but he looked 100 percent. In realty, Hooker and Tillman are the keys for Tennessee football over these next two weeks. If Hooker can get to 100 percent, and Tillman can get to 75 to 90 percent, they should be okay, but that needs to be a focus ahead of LSU.

Home/Vols Football