Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel provides update on Boo Carter's status for season-opener against Syracuse

One of the big questions ahead of the Tennessee Vols' season-opener against the Syracuse Orange is whether defensive back Boo Carter will play.

Carter has been working his way back into the good graces of his teammates and Tennessee's coaches after missing some team activities during the summer.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel told reporters on Monday that he "anticipates" Carter playing against Syracuse.

"Yeah, anticipate that," said Heupel when asked if he anticipates Carter playing on Saturday. "For all of us during the course of this week, it's still learn it, earn it, and taking a job and proving that you're ready."

Heupel spoke a little more in depth last week about Carter.

“Boo has continued to grow on the things that we’re asking him to do, to be a great teammate inside of this building every single day," said Heupel last week. "Know the charge for him, but for all of us, is to continue to do that. And Boo has continued to grow in what he’s doing on the field. So, I’m excited and pleased with a lot of things that we see from him.”

Heupel, as expected, didn't detail what kind of role Carter will play against Syracuse, but it sounds like there won't be any sort of suspension for the dynamic defensive back -- which is certainly good news for the Volunteers.