Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano walks off the field after being sacked during last Saturday’s home game against Missouri.KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt would not confirm that either quarterback Jarrett Guarantano or receiver Marquez Callaway would start Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt. Both practiced this week after leaving last week’s loss to Missouri with injuries.
Pruitt did say linebackers Kivon Bennett and J.J. Peterson, defensive lineman Kurott Garland and wide receiver Cedric Tillman will redshirt this season, having reached the limit of four games played now allowed by the NCAA. Bennett is a sophomore, with the other three freshmen.
“We’re not going to play any of those guys,” Pruitt said. “I’ve talked to them, and I think moving forward it’s the best thing for those guys.”
Pruitt said running back Ty Chandler tweaked a knee in practice and has been day to day, but the coach said Chandler, who leads the team with 542 rushing yards this season, “will be ready to go.”
The Volunteers and the Commodores are each 5-6 overall and 2-5 in Southeastern Conference play, with the winner of Saturday’s 4 p.m. game reaching bowl eligibility.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.