KNOXVILLE – Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt suggested Monday that blocks like the one that ended Jonathan Kongbo’s season on Saturday should be reviewed like targeting calls.
Kongbo tore an ACL when Auburn fullback Chandler Cox blocked him at the knees.
“It’s unfortunate,” Pruitt said. “It’s one of those deals where you would like if we’re going to have targeting fouls, you would like to have some of those cut blocks being reviewed. Not saying that it was legal or illegal.”
Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt waits for officials to review one of the many plays agains Auburn in the second half of the game on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (Photo: Patrick Murphy-Racey)
Kongbo’s absence from the lineup for Tennessee’s game against top-ranked Alabama on Saturday at Neyland Stadium presents a chance for a trio of reserves to get more playing time.
First up will be sophomore Deandre Johnson, who was listed Monday as the starter at Kongbo’s old position on the depth chart. Johnson made four tackles, including a key sack, in relief of Kongbo on Saturday.
“With Deandre Johnson, Jordan Allen, Austin Smith, we have guys that have been working hard and have taken a lot of reps this year,” Pruitt said. “Now they’ll get an opportunity.”
On targeting
Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli will sit out the first half of the Alabama game after he was called for targeting while tackling Auburn’s Malik Miller late in Tennessee’s 30-24 win at Auburn. Sophomore Will Ignont is likely to start in his place against Alabama.
Pruitt referred to the play as “a lesson” for Bituli.
“I don’t think in any way was Daniel trying to hurt the guy, but his technique, he had his eyes down,” Pruitt said. “As he approached the ball carrier, the guy kind of slumped down and they did hit head-to-head. So it’s a coaching point for him and the rest of our team, and it will help protect him. You always need to keep your eyes up when you’re tackling.”
Day to day
Pruitt described the statuses of tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson, defensive back Micah Abernathy and offensive lineman Jahmir Johnson as “day to day.”
Wood-Anderson and Johnson both suffered injuries against Auburn. Abernathy did not play against Auburn because of an ankle injury.
“When you get into SEC play this time of year, everybody has guys that are going to get dinged up and banged up,” Pruitt said. “Everybody’s got really good medical staffs. We’ve got a great medical staff, and they’ll do a great job getting our guys ready to practice and give them a chance to get prepared to play Saturday.”
Vols honored
The Southeastern Conference announced Tennessee redshirt sophomore quarterback Jarrett Guarantano as SEC co-offensive player of the week on Monday. Guarantano completed 21 of 32 passes for 328 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win at Auburn.
Senior defensive end Kyle Phillips was the SEC defensive lineman of the week for his career-high nine tackles and a strip-sack that led to a Tennessee touchdown.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.