As expected, Tennessee will be without its top two starting cornerbacks this weekend against Georgia. Per Pete Thamel, both are unexpected to play in the Vols’ SEC opener against the sixth-ranked Bulldogs.
McCoy,
a standout All-SEC performer, continues to work back from a torn ACL suffered in January. Rickey Gibson was hurt early on against Syracuse and has been ruled out for “an extended period of time” by Josh Heupel.
Tennessee turned to Colorado transfer Colton Hood and true freshman Ty Redmond in their place. Jalen McMurray and Boo Carter will continue to split time at the STAR position. Both Hood and Redmond are off to hot starts this season with multiple pass break-ups in the first two weeks.
Georgia, now in the Gunner Stockton era at quarterback, has struggled out of the gates through the air. Stockton managed just 227 through the air last week against Austin Peay in a game that ended up being competitive in the fourth quarter. USC transfer Zachariah Branch leads the way currently with 112 receiving yards through two weeks.
The Tennessee secondary, particularly the very young depth of it, will be something to keep an eye on Saturday afternoon. The official injury report from the program will come out on Wednesday night, per SEC rules.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
