Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy is out for Tennessee's game against Kentucky; When will fans see him play in 2025?

It's not a surprise that McCoy isn't playing on Saturday against Kentucky. The dynamic defensive back needs to practice with the team before his return is a realistic possibility.

When will Jermod McCoy make his season debut for the Tennessee Vols?

Many Vols fans were hoping that McCoy would return to action in October, but that was never a realistic return date for the Texas native.

I noted in January that the most likely scenario for McCoy was a return to practice in November. It's possible that McCoy could return to practice next week and play against the Oklahoma Sooners on November 1, but I think that's unlikely. Returning to team periods in practice for a week and then playing against Oklahoma seems like a big ask.

The Vols have an off weekend after the Oklahoma game before finishing the season with games against New Mexico State, Florida, and Vanderbilt. I think the most optimistic scenario for McCoy would be returning for the New Mexico State game to knock off the rust before playing against the Gators.

Former Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs, a two-time NFL Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys, tore his ACL on September 21, 2023. He returned to action on September 8, 2024 -- 353 days after the torn ACL (Diggs’ recovery was described by DallasCowboys.com as “several weeks ahead of schedule”).

A similar timeline for McCoy would put his return sometime in December. So while I think the New Mexico State game is the best case scenario for McCoy's return, it's far from a certainty that he'll be ready by then. And if he's not ready, it doesn't mean that McCoy behind schedule -- this is just how ACL recoveries typically go. Suggesting that McCoy might return in September or October was never a fair timeline for the talented cornerback.

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