'That's been the date he's had targeted' - Key Vols player is planning to be ready for Tennessee's game against Mississippi State

The Tennessee Vols could be getting a couple of key players back from injury later this month.

Vols defensive linemen Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs are both hoping to return to the field when Tennessee takes on the Mississippi State Bulldogs next weekend.

VolQuest's Brent Hubbs joined 104.5 The Zone's Ramon and Will on Friday and he noted that he definitely thinks Moi, who was injured in Tennessee's season-opening win against Syracuse, will be back for the Mississippi State.

It's not quite as certain that Hobbs will be back -- though that's certainly his plan.

Vols defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs is targeting the Mississippi State for his 2025 season debut

"I think Jaxson Moi will definitely be back for Mississippi State," said Hubbs. "I would be really surprised if he's not. And Daevin Hobbs is 100 percent in his mind back for Mississippi State. That's been the date he's had targeted.

"Now, he's still got to get cleared. He's still got to get going and turned loose in that way. But he is running. He's running in cleats. He's rehabbing. And in his mind, he's playing football in Starkville, Mississippi. Now, that'll be the medical people's decision, ultimately, at the end. But in his mind, I can tell you, he thinks he's playing."

Tennessee is set to host UAB this weekend. It doesn't make sense for either player to try to play in that game (Tennessee is favored by nearly 40 points).

Getting both back for Mississippi State, though, would be huge for the Vols.

Tennessee has been a bit thin along the defensive line with Moi and Hobbs out. Getting both of those guys healthy as the Vols enter the gauntlet of SEC play will be important for Tennessee.

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