Who's In, Who's Out: No. 9 Tennessee-Austin Peay

No. 9 Tennessee (1-0) and Austin Peay (0-1) are less than two hours until kickoff. The Vols are looking to fine tune some things with their starters and get valuable reps across the board for their depth pieces ahead of next weekend’s showdown in The Swamp against Florida. Ahead of today’s contest, Volquest takes a look at the injury report.

LB Keenan Pili (OUT)

Volquest reported earlier in the week that Tennessee had been dealt a significant blow on the injury front as the veteran linebacker, who got his first start as a Vol last saturday, suffered an upper body injury against Virginia that will sideline him for an extended period of time. Josh Heupel confirmed the news on the SEC Teleconference. 

“I don’t believe it’s season ending at this point,” Heupel said. “We’ll see how he continues to heal up in the coming days and weeks.”

Tennessee will look to get a lot more work in for Elijah Herring, who will get the start, Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander during today’s contest.

Nico Iamaleava (Available)

A report surfaced earlier on Saturday from WBIR suggesting Iamaleava was questionable due to a wrist injury. The former No.1 overall player in the 2023 class has been a full participant in warmups, and he will be available for the Vols today. Both wrists are taped, and it remains unclear how much, if any, run the Vols will give the talented freshman in this one.

WR Squirrel White (IN)

Tennessee’s second-year slot receiver suffered an undisclosed injury in the second-half of the win over Virginia and did not return, but according to Josh Heupel, he has no concerns around White’s status earlier in the week.

“Just the time of the game (with Squirrel White),” Heupel said on why White. “That’s the only reason that he wasn’t back in the game. Felt we were in a good spot there.”

White has participated in warmups today, and he is available for the Vols today.

DL Omari Thomas (IN)

Veteran defensive lineman Omari Thomas also went down with an injury in the second half against Virginia, but Heupel also alluded to the Vols being in a good spot with the standout defensive lineman ahead of Saturday’s matchup. Thomas has been a full participant in today’s warmups and will be available for the Vols on Saturday against Austin Peay.

DL Elijah Simmons (OUT)

Simmons missed last week’s season-opener against Virginia and a timetable for his return remains uncertain. He is dealing with a lower body injury sustained in fall camp. 

“A guy that has been great all training camp and really all offseason. He’ll be out for this one,” Vols Head Coach Josh Heupel said last Thursday ahead of Virginia. “But we’ll see where that goes moving forward.”

Center Cooper Mays (OUT)

Veteran offensive lineman Cooper Mays has not been able to suit up for Tennessee since undergoing a “minor procedure” during fall camp. Mays will be out this week, but roughly four weeks removed from the procedure, the standout offensive lineman continues to progress toward a return.

“Cooper, he’s been with us on the field” Heupel said earlier in the week. “We will not play him in this one (against Austin Peay). That’s just in preparation for the following week, make sure that he’s 100 percent.”

Freshmen DL Tyree Weathersby, RB Desean Bishop  (Out)

Tennessee freshmen Tyree Weathersby and Desean Bishop both suffered long-term injuries around the same time in fall camp. Weathersby will be out for the season with a lower extremity injury, while Bishop’s injury could allow him to return at some point, but he could miss an extended period of time. 

“Weathersby will be out for the year. Deshaun is not out for the year but will be out for an extended period of time. Probably a couple of months,” Josh Heupel said on August 16th.

Volquest will have a full “Who’s in, Who’s Out” injury report available tomorrow during pre-game.

Others Tennessee players not going through warmups and appear to be OUT

Freshman WR Nathan Leacock

Freshman DL Chandavian Bradley

Redshirt-Sophomore DB DeShawn Rucker