Josh Heupel explains what's going on with Boo Carter and he's clearly frustrated

Boo Carter did not join the team in the Vols' 42-9 win over New Mexico State on Saturday. Pregame, it was announced that he had an injury that would keep him off the field, but Josh Heupel confirmed it was an off-the-field issue that resulted in Carter not playing. 

In Huepel's postgame comments, he shared that Carter did not meet team standards this week or over the past two weeks, which led to him not playing on Saturday. 

"At the end of the day, there's a standard that you have to meet to be in that locker room. He was not out on the field with us. That will be my last response on anything related to that for right now," Heupel shared postgame. 

There were high expectations for Carter after an electric freshman year on Rocky Top, but he has fallen short of expectations after offseason drama and now in-season issues. 

It has been a frustrating year for Carter, and you can tell there is continued frustration in Heupel's voice. The Vols hoped they could move past offseason issues earlier this year, but they have carried over into the season. 

There was hope that Carter was simply struggling with an injury, but Heupel has confirmed rumors of Carter's possible exit from the team. While he is still a part of the team, it doesn't seem his position with the coaching staff has improved much since the summer. 

With or without Carter, the Vols have two important games remaining on their schedule, with a trip to Gainesville, Florida, on deck. A depleted secondary will be tested as the Vols look at possibly being without one of its most explosive players, although he hasn't made much of an impact over the past month.