Dylan Sampson, Squirrel White injury update: ESPN broadcast, insider gives troubling update on Tennessee stars

Tennessee is banged up in its contest against Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff, with multiple key contributors on offense banged up.

Running back Dylan Sampson hasn’t played since the 3:27 mark of the first quarter, seemingly nursing a lower body injury.

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ABC sideline reporter Marty Smith reported on a trio of injuries for the Volunteers as the second half began.

“They are mounting,” Smith said of the injuries. “I just heard you guys talking about Dylan Sampson. He does have a lower-body injury. He’s questionable to return. Same goes for Squirrel White and Dont’e Thornton. It looks like Dont’e Thornton is going to try to give it a go, but he’s a little banged up too.”

Sampson had logged just two carries for six yards for Tennessee at the time of this writing. Just before kickoff of the second half, he could be seen warming up and trying to get loose on the sidelines.

But despite joining the huddle briefly, he did not trot out with the offense on the first series of the second half.

White, meanwhile, had logged one catch for 17 yards, while Thornton had contributed one catch for 14 yards. The Tennessee offense has become heavily reliant on quarterback Nico Iamaleava as a result of the injuries, but coach Josh Heupel feels his team is still in it with a chance, trailing 21-10.

“Josh Heupel told me at halftime here that they have to control the line of scrimmage,” Smith reported. “They had a couple busts early defensively, but he’s OK where they are right now.”

Ohio State outgained Tennessee 296-147 in the first half.