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Tennessee football cornerback Jermod McCoy has not been medically cleared yet from an ACL injury to make his 2025 season debut, a source confirmed to Knox News.
The source requested anonymity because UT has not released specific details about McCoy's status except for the weekly SEC availability report, which has ruled McCoy out for each conference game this season.
Coach Josh Heupel alluded to McCoy not being medically cleared during his press conference on Oct. 6, previewing the Vols' game against Arkansas.
"(McCoy) has done a really good job. He's got more to go," Heupel said. "I think it's all about him being prepared to go play. And there are a lot of things that go into that. You look at the position he plays, the reactionary work that you have to have. So you're always balancing his ability to be prepared and his short-term and long-term health, as well."
McCoy was a 2024 All-America selection, and he's projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) plays Arkansas (2-3, 1-1) on Oct. 11 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium. McCoy's official status will be listed on the SEC availability report, which is released on Oct. 8 and updated each day until kickoff.
Heupel also dismissed reports that suggested McCoy was targeting a return for the Arkansas game. After all, McCoy must be medically cleared before considering when he will play.
"Jermod continues to do a great job in his rehab with our medical staff, our strength staff," Heupel said. "Somebody told me there was a report out there of a certain ball game that he's focused in on as far as returning. I think that's unfair. Whoever put that out there I don't think truly understands Jermod and his situation."
Coaches and teammates say that McCoy has worked tirelessly to return to the field. But Tennessee has never released a specific timetable for McCoy's return.
After McCoy tore his ACL in January, he underwent surgery and rehabbed this offseason.
On Aug. 8, McCoy returned to practice on a limited basis. He took part in individual drills but didn't participate in full-contact periods. UT closed practices in mid-August, which followed the program's normal preseason schedule. But that means McCoy has continued his rehab behind closed doors.
On Oct. 6, defensive back Kaleb Beasley said McCoy has made progress inside the football facility, but he didn't mention his participation on the practice field.
"(McCoy) has been really good. I see him every day in the training room and out there in the weight room, just working hard every day," Beasley said. "I can’t wait til he gets back. I don’t know when he’ll be back, but I’m excited for him. He’s doing really good."
Every knee injury is different. But some elite athletes can recover from an ACL tear in about nine months. That would put McCoy back on the field in October. After the Arkansas game, Tennessee plays at No. 8 Alabama on Oct. 18 and at Kentucky on Oct. 25.
Cornerback Colton Hood has had a breakout season with McCoy out after transferring from Colorado to Tennessee. Hood is tied for the SEC lead with five pass breakups, and he’s scored two defensive touchdowns.
Freshman Ty Redmond has started at the other cornerback spot. But the Vols are thin at that position and rank last in the SEC in pass defense (259.2 ypg).
McCoy could make a sizable difference for the Vols if returns to his 2024 form. But he’s missed the first five games of the season, and there's no certain date for his comeback.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy injury update: Tennessee CB not cleared to return from ACL
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The source requested anonymity because UT has not released specific details about McCoy's status except for the weekly SEC availability report, which has ruled McCoy out for each conference game this season.
Coach Josh Heupel alluded to McCoy not being medically cleared during his press conference on Oct. 6, previewing the Vols' game against Arkansas.
"(McCoy) has done a really good job. He's got more to go," Heupel said. "I think it's all about him being prepared to go play. And there are a lot of things that go into that. You look at the position he plays, the reactionary work that you have to have. So you're always balancing his ability to be prepared and his short-term and long-term health, as well."
McCoy was a 2024 All-America selection, and he's projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) plays Arkansas (2-3, 1-1) on Oct. 11 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium. McCoy's official status will be listed on the SEC availability report, which is released on Oct. 8 and updated each day until kickoff.
Heupel also dismissed reports that suggested McCoy was targeting a return for the Arkansas game. After all, McCoy must be medically cleared before considering when he will play.
"Jermod continues to do a great job in his rehab with our medical staff, our strength staff," Heupel said. "Somebody told me there was a report out there of a certain ball game that he's focused in on as far as returning. I think that's unfair. Whoever put that out there I don't think truly understands Jermod and his situation."
When will Jermod McCoy be back in Tennessee lineup?
Coaches and teammates say that McCoy has worked tirelessly to return to the field. But Tennessee has never released a specific timetable for McCoy's return.
After McCoy tore his ACL in January, he underwent surgery and rehabbed this offseason.
On Aug. 8, McCoy returned to practice on a limited basis. He took part in individual drills but didn't participate in full-contact periods. UT closed practices in mid-August, which followed the program's normal preseason schedule. But that means McCoy has continued his rehab behind closed doors.
On Oct. 6, defensive back Kaleb Beasley said McCoy has made progress inside the football facility, but he didn't mention his participation on the practice field.
"(McCoy) has been really good. I see him every day in the training room and out there in the weight room, just working hard every day," Beasley said. "I can’t wait til he gets back. I don’t know when he’ll be back, but I’m excited for him. He’s doing really good."
Every knee injury is different. But some elite athletes can recover from an ACL tear in about nine months. That would put McCoy back on the field in October. After the Arkansas game, Tennessee plays at No. 8 Alabama on Oct. 18 and at Kentucky on Oct. 25.
Why Tennessee football needs McCoy to return
Cornerback Colton Hood has had a breakout season with McCoy out after transferring from Colorado to Tennessee. Hood is tied for the SEC lead with five pass breakups, and he’s scored two defensive touchdowns.
Freshman Ty Redmond has started at the other cornerback spot. But the Vols are thin at that position and rank last in the SEC in pass defense (259.2 ypg).
McCoy could make a sizable difference for the Vols if returns to his 2024 form. But he’s missed the first five games of the season, and there's no certain date for his comeback.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy injury update: Tennessee CB not cleared to return from ACL
Continue reading...
