'Ready when their name is called': What's next for Tennessee receivers after Bru McCoy's injury

Tennessee redshirt freshmen receivers Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod got extended playing time last week in the 45-14 win over UTSA after both Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton left the game early with injury scares.

Now the roles for the Vols’ young wideouts will have to continue to grow after McCoy suffered a gruesome lower-leg injury in Tennessee’s 41-20 win over South Carolina at Neyalnd Stadium. 

During his postgame press conference Saturday night, head coach Josh Heupel was asked what will have to change as Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) moves forward without McCoy.

His answer: Nothing different from what has been seen lately at the position.

“Kaleb Webb is gonna have to play at a high level,” Heupel said. “Chas Nimrod. Dont’e (Thornton) wasn’t available tonight. We should be able to get him back, get him going too. (Freshman) Nathan Leacock. 

“So we got a bunch of guys that gotta fill the roles and that’s the nature of this game. It inevitably happens. Next man up. They gotta be ready for their opportunity. They gotta go take advantage of it.”

‘Our guys are able to come in and step up. They are ready when their name is called.’

Thornton wasn’t dressed Saturday night against South Carolina. Nimrod made his first career catch agains the Gamecocks, going for 10 yards. Webb caught two passes for 22 yards, including his first career touchdown, against UTSA last week and was targeted once against South Carolina.

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III was 21-for-32 for 239 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against the Gamecocks.

Squirrel White led Tennessee in receiving against the Gamecocks, catching nine passes on nine targets for 104 yards, including 35 yards after contact. Tight end Jacob Warren caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.

“I feel like nothing really needs to happen,” White said of Tennessee’s receivers. “Our guys are able to come in and step up. They are ready when their name is called.”

McCoy was carted off the field after suffering the injury with 6:16 left in the first half, while Tennessee was leading South Carolina 17-10. Milton completed a pass to McCoy for 18 yards before he went down.

Trainers immediately brought the cart onto the field for the injury to McCoy’s right leg, as McCoy covered his face with his hands. He left Neyland Stadium in an ambulance after being carted off the field.

“Hate what happened to Bru,” Heupel said after the game. “…There’s nobody better than him. Great teammate, great leader, tough as they come. Works extremely hard to be his best and make sure his teammates do that too.”

Bru McCoy entered Saturday’s game leading Tennessee in catches

McCoy entered Saturday night’s game leading the Vols in receptions with 15 for 196 yards and a touchdown. He had two catches for 21 yards before the injury against South Carolina.

Both Webb and Nimrod were popular names during fall camp, with Tennessee’s coaches praising the progress the two redshirt freshmen were making. Now that progress will be out to the test. 

“Those guys have been working hard since spring ball,” Milton said. “Even since the Orange Bowl last year, those guys have been working hard. They come in every day to ask questions. Even on the sidelines when things aren’t going right, they are asking questions trying to figure out a way to ask questions and get the ball. 

“They always challenge me and that is either at practice when things aren’t going right …  Just having those guys with the right energy every day and coming in with the same energy and same mindset being able to attack is great.”