Signs are good for Vols’ Tuttle to get playing time
KNOXVILLE — Five days ago, Tennessee football coach Butch Jones was unsure if Shy Tuttle would be available for any snaps in the season opener a little more than a week away.
The results of a series of cut-blocking drills during practice between then and Saturday indicated the big defensive tackle may be pretty close to being able to play.
“I cringed a little bit but knew we had to find out if he was getting close to game-ready,” Jones said. “How he played the cut blocks, he did a good job that way. I’ve just been very proud of him because he’s had a consistent approach and he’s had a great attitude and great … frame of mind. When you’re battling back from injuries, half that battle is having a good inner peace about yourself, and he’s been able to do that.”
Whether Tuttle, nearly 11 months removed from a nasty leg injury suffered against Georgia last year, will play against Appalachian State on Thursday night remains unclear. Still, it’s remarkable the sophomore is even close to being available given how noticeably he limped and struggled during practices earlier this month.
He was listed with the second team on the depth chart Tennessee released Saturday.
“Shy’s a guy who has grinded his tail off coming back from his injury,” offensive guard Jashon Robertson said. “He is returning to form. His heavy-handedness has never left him. He’s a very heavy-handed guy (who) knows how to use his hands well and can really push the pocket. I’m excited to see what Shy will do coming back.”
The Volunteers probably won’t need him close to 100 percent until the meat of the schedule begins in a few weeks, but getting him a few live snaps in the opener would be a good starting point.
“I’ve been very impressed,” Jones said. “It’s a challenge for a young man when you’re having a great year and your season is taken from you. He’s kept a positive mindset. He’s worked extremely hard and been very diligent in the strength and conditioning area of working on his conditioning levels as well, but also in the training room with (head athletic trainer) Jason McVeigh and all of our trainers and doctors.
“He’s always had a smile on his face. He’s always worked exceptionally hard, and he’s done a great job.”
Along the line
Tennessee’s starting offensive line, as listed on the program’s first official depth chart of the season, is (left to right) Drew Richmond, Robertson, Coleman Thomas, Dylan Wiesman and Brett Kendrick.
Thomas is listed as the backup right tackle and Wiesman his backup at center, with Marcus Tatum, Venzell Boulware and Jack Jones the backups at left tackle, left guard and right guard. The Vols are already without tackle Chance Hall, and it’s unclear who the first lineman off the bench would be if there’s another injury.
Coach Jones said the Vols will continue to evaluate the offensive line but added he believed the unit performed well during the preseason.
“In this league in general, offensive-line and defensive-line play is a very crucial and important thing as we all know,” Robertson said. “As an offensive line we always feel like a game is on our shoulders. We have to control the line of scrimmage. We have to protect our guys. That’s the responsibility and expectation we have day in and day out. It’s just the world we live in, and we work at it every day.”
Vols to honor Summitt
Players will wear a commemorative sticker on the back of their helmets this season to honor Pat Summitt, the legendary Lady Vols basketball coach who died June 28, five years after announcing she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“We all know everything that she stands for,” Jones said, “and I think it’s very fitting that Tennessee football and ‘Team 120’ recognizes her and everything she means to the University of Tennessee and the great state of Tennessee and for sports in general.”
Status updates
Jones said reinstated defensive tackle Alexis Johnson continues to progress, but did not reveal whether he would play against Appalachian State. … Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (knee injury) is questionable for Thursday’s game. … Rashaan Gaulden and Malik Foreman are bracketed as starters at nickel cornerback. … Defensive end Kyle Phillips dealt with “nagging injuries” last week, Jones said, but was expected to practice Saturday. … Jones said redshirt freshman Andrew Butcher, who’s still working his way back from recurring knee and shoulder injuries, is moving to defensive tackle from defensive end.