KNOXVILLE – Josh Smith could play sooner than originally expected as the Tennessee senior wide receiver recovers from a recent shoulder injury.
Reports initially pegged Smith as having a broken collarbone earlier this month before coach Butch Jones revealed last week that Smith had a sprained AC joint.
Jones said it’s possible Smith won’t even miss the Volunteers’ season opener against Georgia Tech on Monday.
“Josh Smith is another individual who actually practiced yesterday,” Jones said Wednesday. “He lifted (weights), and he could possibly be available for the game. He’s going to practice today, so that’s a good thing in and of itself just from the experience factor and the experience in our wide receiver room.”
Smith was the lone senior on the wide receiver depth chart released Wednesday. Josh Palmer, who went to high school in Florida but is originally from Canada, is listed as a co-starting wide receiver with sophomore Brandon Johnson, showing the youth trend in the group.
Palmer is one of two true freshmen listed as a starter on the team’s depth chart, along with right guard Trey Smith.
“Josh is just a naturally gifted kid,” senior tight end Ethan Wolf said. “I didn’t really know much about him until he got out here and I saw him play. I’ve gotten to know him a little bit better, and he’s a really nice guy as well. He’s from Canada and is just a well-rounded kid.
“To see some of the plays he’s made out there being straight out of high school, it’s kind of amazing. He’s going to be a really special player here.”
Kicking battle unsettled
After five weeks of practices, the Vols have yet to decide on a starting kicker.
Senior Aaron Medley, who started the past three years but has struggled with consistency, has been competing with freshman Brent Cimaglia.
“To me, that’s as big a competition as the quarterback position, especially in a game like this where points are at a premium and field position is so critical,” Jones said. “Aaron Medley is being pushed each and every day by Cimaglia. That’s another competition that’ll go right down to probably game day.
“Without revealing the game plan, we may have two kickers based on the distance of a field goal we’re attempting. The competition has been really healthy for both individuals.”
Option preparation
With Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack so unique, Tennessee’s defense has varied its preparation, including not even using a football.
“We’ve been defending a lot of it with no ball, because we all have to defend our gaps and assignments,” defensive tackle Kendal Vickers said. “If one person is out of the gap or if one person goes to the wrong assignment, then it’s a touchdown. We’ve been practicing with no ball and trying to defend like that so everyone knows their assignments.”
Jones has also been very active with the defense during practice to prepare the Vols to handle the option and the cut blocking that goes with such an offense.
“He’s been pressing on us, getting the scout team guys to cut and for us to cut on them,” Vickers said. “He’s been giving us rewards for cut blocks during practice. We’re getting ready for it and will be ready.”
Contact Rob Harvey at sports@timesfreepress.com.