KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee has no time to celebrate its first Top 25 appearance in three years.
The 25th-ranked Volunteers are too busy adjusting their depth chart after three of their players suffered likely season-ending injuries in training camp.
Senior guard Marcus Jackson, the Vols’ most experienced offensive lineman, likely will miss the entire season with a biceps injury. A similar injury has knocked out reserve guard Austin Sanders for the season.
Rashaan Gaulden, who had been working as Tennessee’s first-team nickel back, also was lost for the season with a broken foot.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s also a part of the game,” said Tennessee coach Butch Jones, whose team is in the rankings for the first time since September 2012. “It’s (going on) across the country.”
