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Tennessee’s Josh Huepel Receives Bad Update Before Alabama Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Oct 15, 2025 11:15 PM ET

The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers are off to a 5-1 start just a year after making the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee has wins over Syracuse, East Tennessee State, UAB, Mississippi State and Arkansas, with the only loss coming to Georgia in overtime, 44-41.

In Week 8, Josh Heupel's team begins a two-game road stretch with a showdown against No. 6 Alabama and then against Kentucky in Lexington.

There is a lot of momentum in Rocky Top, and the Volunteers are looking to make another College Football Playoff run this time around.

Finding a way to beat Alabama will help the program boost its resume.

However, the Volunteers received some unfortunate injury news.

Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy was ruled out, according to the SEC injury report.

Alex Byington of On3 also reported that McCoy's status going forward "is ""remains in limbo."

"Meanwhile, the status of star Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy (ACL) remains in limbo as the projected first-round NFL Draft pick is still working his way back from offseason ACL surgery. McCoy hasn’t played yet this season and remains limited in practice while restricted to individual drills," Byington wrote.

BREAKING: The Initial SEC Injury Report for Tennessee’s matchup with Alabama has been released:

DB Rickey Gibson III, WR Travis Smith, DB Jermod McCoy, and WR Radarious Jackson are all listed as OUT for the Vols.#ForTheFans pic.twitter.com/XdoVNFOshc
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) October 16, 2025

McCoy is one of several Tennessee players expected to be first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

McCoy played the 2023 season at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee in 2024. Last season, he played in 13 games, recording 26 tackles with four interceptions.

He tore his ACL during a training session in the offseason in January and has been ramping up to get back on the field.

His next chance will be in Week 9 against Kentucky.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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