It is being reported by multiple sources, including ESPN's Pete Thamel, that Tennessee will be without starting left tackle Lance Heard again tonight when the Volunteers take on No. 15 Oklahoma on the road. Needless to say, this is not the news Volunteer fans wanted to wake up to on Saturday.
The sophomore tackle did not play last week against Kent State due to an ankle injury suffered in week two against N.C. State. Now, he's still on the mend meaning redshirt senior Dayne Davis will have to start in his place.
This news comes as a bit of a surprise given that, after the Kent State game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel loosely implied that Heard was held out more as a precautionary move and that he would have played had the game been against a stronger opponent. Well, a stronger opponent is now in front of the Vols but Heard won't be on the field to help his teammates.
Sources: Tennessee starting left tackle Lance Heard will be out against Oklahoma on Saturday night. It’s the second-straight game he’ll miss with a leg injury. Dayne Davis will again start in his place, which will be his eighth career start. pic.twitter.com/UbY9Xdj5ng
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 20, 2024
Tennessee would love to have all hands on deck on offense this week. That's because Oklahoma's defense is its strength.
Under defensive-minded head coach Brent Venables, OU ranks 26th nationally in total defense by giving up just 264.7 yards per game. Additionally, the Sooners are giving up only 187.0 passing yards per game, 55th-best in the NCAA.
But most concerning for Tennessee with Heard out is the fact that Oklahoma possesses a strong pass rush. The Sooners are 10th in the country in sacks per game at 3.6. Thus, the Volunteer offensive line will be tested tonight, especially with their starting left tackle out of action for this top-15 matchup.