Dylan Sampson injury update: Josh Heupel gives odd statement on limited RB carries vs. Ohio State

Tennessee not giving too many snaps to SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson has been a huge storyline — and question mark — from Columbus. Sampson has just two carries for six yards and spent a lot of time on the sideline. This has put a lot of the weight on Nico Iamaleava‘s shoulders, attempting to pull off a comeback win against Ohio State.

ESPN’s Marty Smith attempted to get to the bottom of it, asking Josh Heupel about Sampson coming off the field at halftime. Heupel was not too interested in directly answering the question, instead saying there is a second half to look forward to.

Get your team’s official College Football Playoff watch from AXIA by CLICKING HERE: “Watches that tell so much more than time”

“Look, a lot of football left here,” Heupel said. “We got 30 more minutes, let’s go play.” 

Plenty of shots from the ABC broadcast have shown Sampson on the sideline. Smith observed him attempting to warm up during commercial breaks, both on the sideline and field. The reporter believes a hamstring is what’s bothering Sampson with no luck of getting loose.

“You can see the running back, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Dylan Sampson continuing to work during the break,” Smith said. “You see the exasperation on his face there, trying to get, in what appeared to me as a left hamstring tightness.

“He was on the bike, trying to get that loose. As he was working on that after several revolutions, it looked like he was trying hard to loosen up that left hamstring. And right now, he’s still on the sideline.”

Sampson has been the heart of Tennessee’s offense all season for Heupel. A lot of hype entering the year surrounded Iamaleava but the Vols continually called their running back’s number and found a great amount of success.

Without Sampson out there, it’s actually Iamaleava who is the team’s leading rusher. Thirteen carries have resulted in 36 yards and a touchdown. DeSean Bishop has stepped in at running back in Sampson’s spot, having four carries and 13 yards.

Tennessee still has an uphill battle against Ohio State, trailing by 11 at half. Iamaleava will have to find success through the air at some point. But having your bread and butter is crucial. Whether or not the Vols can get the ball in Sampson’s hands could make a huge difference.