The Tennessee Volunteers face some significant challenges heading into their upcoming game against Arkansas, as the team has just announced additional player absences. This situation is raising eyebrows and sparking debate among fans and analysts alike. But here's where it gets controversial: two more key players will be unavailable for Saturday’s showdown at Neyland Stadium, further testing the depth of this already-thinned-out squad.
Specifically, tight end Ethan Davis and wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. have been officially ruled out, according to the SEC pregame availability report released just 90 minutes before kickoff. The game is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Ethan Davis, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, will sit out for the third consecutive game. His injury was first noted after the game against Georgia, and despite hopes he might return, he’s remained sidelined. Over the week, his status fluctuated from questionable early on to doubtful on Friday night, and now he’s definitely out.
Meanwhile, Travis Smith Jr., who was listed as doubtful on Friday, has also been officially ruled out. This leaves the Volunteers with a noticeably reduced receiving corps, especially at the wide receiver position, which could impact their offensive strategies. Smith has been a significant contributor this season, playing the most snaps among non-starting wideouts, and his absence means Tennessee will need others to step up.
Adding to their woes, two cornerbacks—Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III—were previously ruled out for this game, further thinning Tennessee’s defensive options. The team’s injury report paints a picture of a squad battling multiple setbacks just days before the game.
Davis’s injury happened during a tough game against Georgia, and since then, sophomore Jack Van Dorselaer has stepped into the tight end role. Van Dorselaer has shown promise, catching a 9-yard pass against UAB and playing a crucial role in blocking during Tennessee’s overtime victory at Mississippi State. His involvement is vital, especially now that Davis is unavailable.
On the wide receiver front, Smith’s absence leaves the depth chart quite shallow. Currently, the team relies on freshmen like Radarious Jackson and Joakim Dodson, along with walk-ons Trey Weary and Tommy Winton III, to fill the void behind the top three receivers—Chris Brazzell II, Mike Matthews, and Braylon Staley.
And this is the part most people miss—how these injuries could influence Tennessee’s game plan and performance against Arkansas. Will the remaining players rise to the occasion, or will these setbacks expose vulnerabilities? It’s a fascinating subplot that could determine the outcome of this critical SEC matchup—and it’s worth pondering whether the team’s resilience can withstand such adversity. What’s your take? Do you think these injuries will significantly impact the game, or is this just a temporary hurdle for the Vols?
