Tennessee will be without one of its best defensive backs on the roster on Saturday as Sophomore athlete Boo Carter has been ruled out for the New Mexico State game due to a hip flexor injury, according to Football Scoop's John Brice.
Sounds like @Vol_Football today will be without Boo Carter, who’s expected to be absent with a hip flexor. The No. 23 @CFBPlayoff Vols are 40-point favorites vs. New Mexico State.
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 15, 2025
As John Brice notes, the Vols are 40-point favorites, so they shouldn't have many issues without Carter on the field, but it is a tough loss for a position group that is already playing deep into its depth chart.
Carter has 25 tackles on the season in nine appearances with the Vols this year. He has also had a sack and three forced fumbles, continuing to make an impact in the backfield and on the back end of the defense.
An athlete like Carter can be put virtually anywhere on the field and make a positive impact, and has done that over the past two seasons for the Vols, although Vols fans believe there is a lot to be desired this season after some off-field drama.
Regardless, he has been a big part of the Vols' secondary, which has been patiently waiting for Jermod McCoy to return to the field, and it becomes more likely by the day that we've seen McCoy play his last game in orange and white.
While this game shouldn't be much of an issue for Tennessee, the Vols' last two games will be huge in deciding between a 9-3 and 7-5 season. Tennessee needs to find a way to win at Florida and vs Vanderbilt after New Mexico State, and that possibility will only amplify if Boo Carter is not on the field for the Tennessee defense.