Tennessee football availability report vs Arkansas

Tennessee football is coming off its BYE Week as it prepares for its next conference road test. The Vols will head to Fayetteville on Saturday to face Arkansas. 

As part of conference games, the SEC has instituted a new availability report, where teams must add players who may be doubtful, probable, or out for their upcoming game, similar to how the NFL handles player availability. 

Tennessee has four players that have been listed as out for its upcoming game against Arkansas. Linebacker Edwin Spillman, defensive back Montrell Bandy, and safeties Jourdan Thomas and John Slaughter will all be out for Saturday's game. 

The off-week has been vital to the Vols' getting healthy and ready for SEC play. The offensive line struggled against Oklahoma without Lance Heard and John Campbell, who went down in the first half. Having both guys back and anchoring the trenches will be huge for the Vols. 

Arkansas doesn't look to be so lucky in that category, and Sam Pittman said so during his midweek press conference. The Razorbacks' head coach acknowledged Tennessee will have a bit more depth heading into the primetime matchup. 

"We took 10 minutes off of practice yesterday," said Pittman. "We took the pads off, went to (spider pads) on Monday trying to get healthy. Also, trying to get our legs because this is six weeks in a row. Knowing that Tennessee comes off a bye week, as well, that they'll be ready to go. So we took all of those things into consideration."

Arkansas has five players ruled out and five more labeled as doubtful, questionable, or probable. The five players that are out are defensive backs, Jaylon Braxton and Miguel Mitchell, running back Rodney Hill, offensive lineman Patrick Kutas, and wide receiver Khafre Brown. 

Tight end Andreas Paaske is ruled as doubtful, tight ends Ty Washington and Luke Hasz are listed as questionable, and defensive back Hudson Clark and wide receiver Monte Harrison are listed as probable. 

The lack of depth at tight end is one of the most obvious issues just by looking at this report. Hasz is one of their best pass catchers and could miss Saturday's game against Tennessee. If I had to guess, he could be available in a limited capacity if he progresses well enough throughout the week. 

Arkansas is looking to make the statement it needs to power through its tough SEC schedule, while the Vols are looking to remain near the top of the college football rankings with another dominant conference win. The Vols and Razorbacks are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on primetime ABC.