The Tennessee Volunteers have been as banged up as anyone in the country lately. That was on display against Georgia, as the Vols were down to playing walk on defensive back Will Brooks against the number one team in the country after being without their top two players at the STAR position.
The offensive line has been just as big a victim as anyone from the injury bug. Javontez Spraggins is out the rest of the regular season.
John Campbell, Jr. and Gerald Mincey are both reportedly only available in case of an emergency on Saturday.
You can add another name to the list. Center Cooper Mays left the game against Vanderbilt with a lower body injury.
According to the broadcast, he’s doubtful to return. To compensate, Ollie Lane took over at center, and Addison Nichols is in at left guard.
It’s been an incredibly tough year for Mays, who underwent hernia repair surgery in August and missed the first four games of the season.
His return helped anchor a run by Tennessee where the Vols ripped off wins in four of their first five games upon his return against South Carolina on September 30.
Mays wasn’t the only offensive lineman to go down against Vanderbilt either. Redshirt freshman Connor Meadows went down on the extra point attempt that put Tennessee ahead 14-7 and eventually was able to get off the field under his own power.