Is Felix Okpara playing against Ole Miss? Latest Tennessee injury update

Felix Okpara missed his first game of the season in Tennessee’s 77-69 win over Auburn on Saturday, and according to the SEC availability report released on Monday night, he’ll be on the shelf again when the Volunteers host Ole Miss on Tuesday night in Knoxville. 

According to Rick Barnes’ statement on Saturday night, the senior center injured his left calf when he was kicked during Tennessee’s overtime win at Georgia last week and it became an issue on Friday night. 

According to Volquest’s Grant Ramey, Okpara was present at Tennessee’s practice on Monday with a wrap around his lower left leg, but did not participate and instead worked on the stationary bike with staffers. 

Felix Okpara to miss 2nd-straight game when Tennessee hosts Ole Miss Tuesday night

Without Okpara in the lineup, 6-foot-8 freshman DeWayne Brown II got the start in the Tennessee frontcourt alongside J.P. Estrella and Nate Ament. Across a career-high 33 minutes, Brown finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block, and two steals in a comprehensive performance. However, Nate Ament continued to steal the show. 

The five-star freshman has found his footing of late and is averaging 21.2 points per game over his last six games. With Okpara out against Auburn, Ament went for 22 points and eight rebounds, but only shot 4-16 from the field. 

Okpara is averaging 6.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. If his absence continues to extend, the pressure will be on both Ament and Brown to fill in the gaps on either end of the floor. 

Ament will likely need to be a more efficient scorer on Tuesday night for Tennessee to stay in the win column with its fourth straight victory. The Vols climbed back into the AP Top 25 at No. 25 on Monday. 

Even with Okpara sidelined, Tennessee is still an 11.5-point favorite over Ole Miss at home. The Rebels are 11-10 overall and 3-5 in SEC play.