Jauan Jennings, Ty Chandler among 'banged up' Vols

Tennessee wide receivers Jauan Jennings (15) and Marquez Callaway celebrate Jennings' 6-yard touchdown catch during the first half of Saturday's game at South Carolina.
Tennessee wide receivers Jauan Jennings (15) and Marquez Callaway celebrate Jennings' 6-yard touchdown catch during the first half of Saturday's game at South Carolina.

KNOXVILLE - The health of two key Tennessee offensive players appears to be in question this week.

Second-leading receiver Jauan Jennings left a 27-24 loss at South Carolina last week with an apparent ankle injury, though he did return late.

Starting running back Ty Chandler also appeared to come up limping at one point in the contest, but he was in the game on Tennessee's final offensive series against the Gamecocks.

But as the Volunteers (3-5) prepare for Charlotte (4-4), coach Jeremy Pruitt remained noncommittal Wednesday about the status of Jennings and Chandler for this week's contest.

"It's that time of year where everybody is kind of banged up," Pruitt said. "We've got our share. So our medical staff is doing a good job of getting guys healthy and getting them back out there."

Pruitt said that "all of" Tennessee's running backs are "banged up." That's why freshman Jeremy Banks is back at running back after spending last week learning linebacker.

"We probably have a little more depth at linebacker right now than we do at running back," Pruitt said. "So we just want to make sure we have enough guys to finish the year."

Junior running back Carlin Fils-aime continues to work with that position in practice after scoring a touchdown against South Carolina in his first week back on offense after several months spent working at cornerback.

"Carlin is learning a little bit more about the position," Pruitt said. "This will be his second week (at running back). For Jeremy, he's been there all year, so for him there wasn't any learning curve going back."

Shrout's promotion

Freshman quarterback J.T. Shrout traveled with Tennessee to South Carolina, making the trip over sophomore Will McBride, who has been listed as the third-string quarterback.

"We're just trying to get J.T. ready to play," Pruitt said. "He spent the first half of the year on the scout team."

McBride has transitioned to a scout team role and will redshirt after he was forced into action as a true freshman last season.

Shrout was a late addition to Tennessee's 2018 signing class and also will redshirt.

"He worked the first half of the year on the scout team and we've swapped him and Will," Pruitt said. "But they both take reps in practice in good on good."

Taking 49ers seriously

After winning one game last season, Charlotte (4-4) will pose a tougher test than Tennessee's other Conference USA foe this season. The Vols beat Texas-El Paso 24-0 in September, but UTEP is still winless.

Charlotte is coming off a 20-17 victory over Southern Mississippi.

"These guys have a better record than we do," Pruitt said. "If you look at them statistically, they're better than us in probably every statistical category. They have 85 guys on scholarship just like we do. We'll have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance to have success Saturday."

Pruitt stays serious

Pruitt was asked if he had a favorite Halloween costume from his youth. The coach was in no mood to play along with a light-hearted, holiday-themed question.

"No," he quickly responded.

Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.

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