KNOXVILLE - Tennessee is well into its second week of training camp, and two weeks and nine practices remain before the Volunteers shift their focus to the season opener against Bowling Green.
As the preseason's midpoint draws near, here are five storylines worth watching for the Vols, who will practice twice today and twice on Saturday, with the annual open practice that night at Neyland Stadium.
1. Health concerns
The list of players absent from practice grew Wednesday to include running back Jalen Hurd, safety Brian Randolph and linebacker Cortez McDowell. Nine other players had already missed at least one practice this week - tight end Ethan Wolf, wide receivers Cody Blanc and Pig Howard, offensive linemen Chance Hall, Jashon Robertson and Dylan Wiesman and defensive backs Evan Berry, Stephen Griffin and Justin Martin.
Receiver Jason Croom and defensive tackle Trevarris Saulsberry haven't practiced since the second day of training camp, offensive lineman Marcus Jackson's arm injury will likely force him to miss the season and defensive ends Andrew Butcher and LaTroy Lewis are out after undergoing knee surgeries this summer.
These injuries are minor for the most part, and the Vols should be cautious with many of the missing players. But it's an unusually high number of absentees. Injuries may create opportunities for others, but the Vols need to get healthy.
2. The O-line
The loss of Jackson, a fifth-year senior and one of Tennessee's most experienced players, is a blow to the line. With Jackson, the Vols were giving Robertson a long look at center. When Jackson went down, Robertson moved back to guard.
The Vols have practiced this week without two starters - Jackson and Robertson probably are Tennessee's best linemen - and Hall and Wiesman were in the mix for backup roles. Amid the absences, the Vols used this first five (from left to right): Kyler Kerbyson, Brett Kendrick, Mack Crowder, Jack Jones and Coleman Thomas. The second five were Dontavius Blair, Charles Mosley, Ray Raulerson, Venzell Boulware and Drew Richmond, four of whom are freshmen.
Can Kendrick and Jones, a freshman, show enough at guard that Robertson goes to center when he gets back from his ankle sprain? How much longer will injuries force the Vols to shuffle up front? Can they get improved line play without Jackson?
3. Jauan Jennings
Coaches and players have raved about the freshman's play at wide receiver since he made the move from quarterback, going from fourth on the depth chart at one position to firmly in the rotation at another. While far from a polished receiver, he has the raw athleticism - from his speed and agility to his ball skills - to thrive at wideout, and he should have a grasp of the offense from his time at quarterback. Tennessee should keep it simple schematically with Jennings to get him on the field and let him tap into that potential.
4. Tight end depth
A.J. Branisel appeared to be Tennessee's No. 3 tight end behind Wolf and Alex Ellis, but he has decided to transfer. Freshman Kyle Oliver left the program shortly before training camp. And that all follows Daniel Helm's transfer to Duke in the winter. It has sapped the Vols of depth at tight end, where there's a concerning drop-off from Wolf and Ellis to a group that includes redshirt freshman Neiko Creamer (who has already played receiver and linebacker at Tennessee), converted linebacker Jakob Johnson and a few walk-ons.
5. LB competition
The starting linebacker job alongside Jalen Reeves-Maybin appears to be Kenny Bynum's to lose. The redshirt junior failed to seize the spot in spring practice, but his offseason loss of 15 pounds has him looking and playing quicker this month. Dillon Bates and Darrin Kirkland Jr. may be Bynum's stiffest competition, but Colton Jumper appears to be in the mix, too. The walk-on, a former Baylor School standout, ran with the second-team defense on a fourth-and-1 play Wednesday. He knifed into the backfield to help secure the stop.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.