Josh Heupel gives an encouraging and gloomy update on two key Tennessee Vols on Monday

The Tennessee Volunteers took care of business on Saturday against the Syracuse Orange 45-26, getting their 2025 season off on the right foot. However, it wasn't all smiles because the Vols had a couple of key contributors on defense go down in the game: DT Jaxson Moi and CB Rickey Gibson III.

Josh Heupel was asked about their status on Monday during his weekly press conference, and regarding Gibson III, the news wasn't encouraging, to put it mildly.

"Rickey will be out for an extended period here," Heupel said. "For how long, I don't know the exact timeline on, but he'll be out for an extended time."

Gibson III went down during the contest and did not return. He started the game alongside Colorado transfer Colton Hood, who is filling in while Jermod McCoy works to return from a January ACL injury. Hood acquitted himself well in his first action as a Volunteer. However, Tennessee could now be without both of its starting cornerbacks from the 2024 season when it takes on Georgia in less than two weeks, which is obviously suboptimal.

The news was better on Moi since Heupel indicated he would be back soon.

"Jaxson will be out this week," Heupel said. "Hope to get him back quickly. In this game, you heard me say it, strength of a position group can't be in one guy. Everybody's got to be ready and prepared to play when they get their call, and we've got to continue to grow."

Tennessee takes on ETSU on Saturday at 3:30 pm ET inside the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium.