Tennessee forward Jaylen Carey is trending toward being available for Wednesday night’s SEC showdown against Georgia, barring any last-minute setbacks. That’s a welcome development for a Vols team that’s looking to build momentum in conference play - and one that knows how much Carey brings to the floor, especially on the glass.
Carey exited Saturday’s 79-73 win over Alabama after hyperextending his left leg, but the early signs are positive. According to assistant coach Amorrow Morgan, the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, and the staff is optimistic about his return.
“Anytime you see one of your guys down, especially someone like Jaylen - who’s built like a tank and hasn’t really dealt with injuries before - it’s a scary moment,” Morgan said before Tuesday’s practice. “But we’re fired up that he’s okay and won’t miss much time.”
Carey logged 15 minutes before leaving the Alabama game, contributing two points, five boards (three of them offensive), and an assist. It wasn’t a stat-stuffing night, but it was another example of how he impacts the game in the trenches - battling for second-chance opportunities and providing physicality on both ends.
In his first year with Tennessee after transferring from Vanderbilt, Carey has carved out a valuable role. He’s averaging 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game, shooting an efficient 50.8% from the field. Despite starting only twice this season, he’s tied with freshman forward Nate Ament for the team lead in rebounding - a testament to his motor and nose for the ball.
Henderson to Miss Second Straight Game
Freshman point guard Troy Henderson won’t suit up against Georgia, as he continues to recover from a left shoulder injury sustained in practice last week. It’s the second straight game he’ll miss, though he remains listed as day-to-day.
Henderson has been a rotational piece for the Vols this season, averaging 2.5 points, 1.6 assists, and 10.3 minutes across 15 appearances. His shooting numbers - 31.7% from the field and 31.6% from three - don’t jump off the page, but he’s shown flashes of confidence and poise in key moments.
One of those came in Tennessee’s double-overtime win over Texas A&M earlier this month. Henderson played a career-high 22 minutes, scored eight points, and came up with two steals. He also hit a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with 1:25 left in regulation - a shot that head coach Rick Barnes didn’t overlook.
“Troy got his most significant minutes and I thought his three was a huge three,” Barnes said after the win. “He played with the kind of confidence that we liked.”
The Vols will hope to get him back soon, especially as they navigate the grind of SEC play and look to maintain backcourt depth.
Cade Phillips Out for the Season
Junior forward Cade Phillips is officially done for the year after undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder - an injury that’s lingered since last season and flared up again over the summer. Tennessee made the announcement back in December, and Phillips later confirmed the decision in a personal statement.
“I battled through this injury as much as possible, but it reached a point where surgery is needed,” Phillips said. “There’s nothing I love more than competing alongside my teammates, and I’m gutted I won’t be able to take the court with them the rest of the season.”
Phillips had been playing through the injury, often wearing a sleeve on his left arm to manage the pain and instability. He started nine of the Vols’ first 10 games, averaging 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in just under 17 minutes per contest.
His shooting percentage - a crisp 65.4% - reflected his ability to finish around the rim, but the shoulder clearly affected other areas. He didn’t attempt a three-pointer and went just 4-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Still, Phillips made his presence felt. His 18 offensive boards were tied for third-most on the team, and his 11 blocks ranked second behind Felix Okpara.
“Cade did all he could to play through this injury as long as he could,” Barnes said in a statement. “We’ll sincerely miss having him on the court, but it’s essential he gets healthy. We love Cade, and we know he’ll continue to help us this year - even from the sideline - because that’s the kind of teammate he is.”
With Carey likely returning, Henderson’s status still fluid, and Phillips officially sidelined, Tennessee’s depth is being tested. But the Vols have shown resilience all season, and as they prepare for a key road matchup against a strong Georgia squad, they’ll look to lean on that next-man-up mentality that’s defined their campaign so far.