ATLANTA – Tennessee entered Monday night’s 42-41 double-overtime win against Georgia Tech already thin on veteran wide receivers with senior Josh Smith ruled out against the Yellow Jackets due to a shoulder injury.
The Volunteers’ experience at the position took an even greater blow with the halftime announcement that leading receiver Jauan Jennings would not return because of an apparent wrist injury. Several media outlets reported Tuesday afternoon that Jennings could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks.
Tennessee’s remaining healthy wide receivers had a combined 25 career receptions and no first-half grabs when they gathered in the locker room to concoct a second-half remedy for their early struggles, knowing Jennings would not be part of the game plan.
“Coach just came in and didn’t really change anything on the game plan,” sophomore receiver Marquez Callaway said. “He told us the plays were there and we just had to execute them. The players have to. So that’s what we went out and did.”
Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) pulls in a catch against Georgia Tech defensive back Step Durham (8) during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, Sept. 4, in Atlanta, Ga.Callaway took that mission on himself.