Report confirms that key player for the Tennessee Vols will miss season opener against Syracuse

A report from On3's Chris Low on Friday confirmed what Tennessee Vols fans have long expected for the season opener against the Syracuse Orange.

Low, who recently left ESPN to join On3, reported that Vols star cornerback Jermod McCoy will miss Saturday's game against Syracuse.

McCoy tore his ACL this past winter. He's been practicing on a limited basis in recent weeks, but he could miss "multiple weeks" according to the report from Low.

"Jermod McCoy will miss Saturday’s opener against Syracuse and is expected to miss multiple games, but is diligently working to return at some point this season," wrote Low.

McCoy is viewed as a first-round talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. CBS Sports' Mike Renner, in fact, has the Miami Dolphins taking McCoy with the No. 8 overall pick in the next year's draft.

"With arguably the weakest cornerback group in the NFL, the Dolphins address is with a cornerback I believe has special potential," noted Renner. "Jermod McCoy's sophomore tape was right up there with the likes of the elite names who have come out in recent years."

The Vols play East Tennessee State in Week 2. That's a game the Vols should win easily, so it's unlikely that McCoy will return for that game. Tennessee will host the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 3. That's likely the earliest we'll see McCoy on the field, though it's certainly possible that he won't be ready by then.