Tennessee is dealing with some bumps and bruises after its 34-31 win over Arkansas. Most notably, quarterback Joey Aguilar and DeSean Bishop each left the game early.
Aguilar was able to return, but Bishop did not, raising questions about some of Tennessee's key offensive performers. Heupel alleviated some of those concerns on Saturday night.
When asked about Bishop's injury, Heupel shared that he "doesn't think it's a long-term deal here at all," which is great news for Tennessee's offense.
The Vols are addressing the running back position by committee, so they will continue to have good production if they lose a guy for a few plays, but their depth at running back is a big reason for their success on the ground this year.
Heupel also discussed the next man up mentality at running back and across the board when players go down momentarily during the game.
"Those running backs have all played well throughout the course of it," Heupel said postgame. "And it was a huge run, there by Peyton [Lewis], really down the stretch in late third and fourth quarter. He played really well. And said it to the team, we were just talking about the game afterwards. Jadon Perlotte, right? Huge, huge play in the football game. He's a part of it."
While Aguilar returned before the end of the game, he went down in what looked to be a potential injury, but Heupel confirmed postgame that he simply knocked the wind out of himself.
"Yeah, four-minute loaded boxes," Heupel shared. "He just turned the numbers into our favor there at the end. Wanted him to get down once the play is over. Just knocked the wind out of himself. So in that way it's positive, but I would like him to take that hit at the very end."
Wide receiver Braylon Staley also suffered an injury during the win over Arkansas, but Heupel provided another positive update on him, saying, "Braylon is celebrating having fun in the locker room, so I anticipate him being ready to go."
While Tennessee got out of the Arkansas game mostly clean on the injury report, the Vols will now focus on the Crimson Tide and its matchup with Alabama this upcoming week.