Tennessee’s Thursday availability report brought little drama, and that’s exactly the kind of update the Volunteers wanted heading into Saturday’s matchup with Kentucky.
The No. 13 Vols, coming out of their bye week, still have no new names added to the list as they prepare to face No.
6 Kentucky at 6:15 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee and Kentucky both enter the game with playoff hopes in play, and with the Wildcats showing up in the debut College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday night, this one carries plenty of weight in Knoxville.
For Tennessee, the report remains unchanged from Wednesday. That means the same six season-ending injuries stay on the board, but no additional Volunteers were listed when the week opened. That includes running back DeSean Bishop, who had appeared to be dealing with something late in the loss at South Carolina two weeks ago.
The overall picture for Tennessee is encouraging. The Vols look healthy as they move into the final four games of the season.
Thursday’s report lists these Tennessee players as out:
ILB Antwan Smith
ILB Justyn Hartley
DB Jaden Smith
DB Grant Grayton
And these players as probable:
DB Isaiah McMillian
OLB Sam Greene
On Kentucky’s side, defensive back Isaiah McMillian moved up to probable after beginning the week as questionable.
Saturday’s SEC rivalry game in Knoxville gives both teams a chance to strengthen their November resumes, and Tennessee’s latest availability update suggests the Vols should have their full attention on the matchup, not the injury report.
In Other News...
Tennessee Faces A Costly Problem At The Worst Time Against Kentucky
Penalty issues have been a recurring problem for Tennessee all season, and they come into this matchup with Kentucky needing a cleaner performance than the one that has too often followed them around. The Volunteers have been flagged 61 times and have given away too many yards in the process, a costly habit for a team trying to stay sharp in a rivalry game where every mistake can swing momentum.
Kentucky brings a different kind of challenge, one that shows up in the details. The Wildcats have been much better at avoiding self-inflicted damage and have built a strong turnover margin, while Josh Heupel has already pointed to the importance of Tennessee playing a disciplined game. Against an opponent that protects the football and limits mistakes, the margin for error is thin, and the Volunteers cannot afford another sloppy afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Kim Caldwell Sees One Clear Issue Despite Tennessees 2-0 Start
Tennessee opened the season 2-0 and handled Coppin State 98-60, but Kim Caldwell still found room for a sharp critique in the aftermath. In her postgame interviews on MEAC Network TV and Vol Network radio, the Lady Vols coach pointed to the teams defensive adjustments, the play of younger pieces, and the early contributions from Kennedy Fauntleroy and Gabby Minus as reasons for optimism, even with the lopsided win in hand.
The bigger concern, Caldwell said, was the kind of issue that can linger long after a comfortable result: ball sharing, defense and shot selection. With a young roster still settling in, Tennessee has already shown it can overwhelm an opponent, but the next step is making those stretches more complete and more consistent, especially once the competition tightens and the margin for error shrinks. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Has A Huge Kentucky Weekend Beyond The Scoreboard
The Kentucky game at Neyland Stadium is carrying extra weight for Tennessee beyond the SEC matchup itself, with the Vols set to welcome several highly ranked high school prospects to campus. Among the visitors are quarterback commit Kaden Craft and defensive standouts Antonio Thomas Jr. and Joshua Lane, giving the staff a chance to showcase the program in front of some of the top names in the 2028 class.
For Tennessee, weekends like this are about more than just the scoreboard. A big game atmosphere can leave an impression on young recruits, and the Vols are hoping the setting helps reinforce what they can offer on and off the field. With Kentucky coming to town, the staff will have a chance to turn a major conference night into a recruiting pitch with real staying power. [Read more 🡒]