KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As Arkansas and Tennessee prepare for their SEC showdown on Saturday, both programs issued updated Friday availability reports revealing continued injury concerns and a newly added doubt for Tennessee.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, under interim coach Bobby Petrino, again listed an extensive set of players as out.
The Volunteers, ranked No. 12, added freshman wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. as doubtful, deepening uncertainty in their receiving corps.
Arkansas Availability Report: Major holes across offense, defense
In its third update of the week ahead of Arkansas’ SEC opener against Tennessee, the Razorbacks designated several key players as “out.”
Arkansas’ reported status includes:
• WR Monte Harrison — Out
• WR Jalen Brown — Out
• WR Ismael Cisse — Out
• TE Jeremiah Beck Jr. — Out
• TE Andreas Paaske — Out
• RB AJ Green — Out
• DB Quentavius Scandrett — Out
• DL David Oke — Out
• DB Jaheim Singletary — Questionable
The breadth of absences leaves Arkansas reliant on depth and younger receivers to fill significant roles.
In prior releases, Pittman (before his dismissal) indicated Brown’s broken leg would sideline him for an extended period, and Harrison had been dealing with a broken foot.
Petrino has emphasized the need for new contributors to step up. He said the team will lean on CJ Brown and true freshman Courtney Crutchfield to expand their roles in the passing game.
Tennessee’s Stance: Cornerback losses, added doubt at WR
Tennessee’s Friday report carries fewer names but features a key addition. The Vols’ injuries now include:
• DB Rickey Gibson III — Out
• DB Jermod McCoy — Out
• WR Radarious Jackson — Out
• WR Travis Smith Jr. — Doubtful (new listing)
• TE Ethan Davis — Questionable
• Cornerback Jermod McCoy, a preseason All-American who tore his ACL in January, remains sidelined.
Vols coach Josh Heupel praised McCoy’s rehabilitation efforts, though no return date was set.
Heupel said McCoy “has done a really good job and continues to attack the recovery process,” but cautioned that it’s unfair to tie his progress to a specific game.
The addition of freshman receiver Travis Smith Jr. as doubtful further reduces Tennessee’s depth.
Smith’s absence, coupled with Radarious Jackson’s injury, stretches the Volunteers’ options on the perimeter.
One positive development is defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs being cleared for action after missing much of the fall.
Heupel credited Hobbs’ improvement in conditioning and technique during practice this week.
Depth in question for both sides
Arkansas’ offense is especially depleted at wide receiver and tight end, leaving mostly underclassmen available.
Losing defensive lineman David Oke also shortens an already thin rotation, which could impact second-half stamina.
Tennessee’s secondary faces similar strain. Without Gibson and McCoy, the Vols rely on young corners Kamal Hadden and Jordan Matthews.
Tight end Ethan Davis’ questionable status may limit Tennessee’s ability to use two-tight-end formations effectively.
The Volunteers still hold a statistical edge. They enter the weekend averaging 50.2 points per game, while Arkansas has allowed more than 41 points per contest against Power Four opponents.
Petrino’s defense will likely rotate heavily, hoping to keep the game close into the fourth quarter.
Key takeaways
- Arkansas faces sweeping absences across multiple positions, especially at receiver and tight end.
- Tennessee adds a fresh injury concern with Travis Smith Jr. now listed as doubtful, compounding existing losses at cornerback and wideout.
- Both teams’ depth will be tested, with backups expected to play significant roles in Saturday’s SEC matchup.
