Tennessee at Oklahoma Wednesday Availability Report
By Tucker Harlin
The first ever availability report for a Tennessee football game came out Wednesday night ahead of the Vols’ trip to Norman on Saturday.
These were mandated by the SEC days before the season but ONLY for conference matchups, hence the reason why this is the first report.
Here’s a look at the Tennessee side of the report:
OUT- DB Jourdan Thomas, DB John Slaughter, OL Sham Umarov
QUESTIONABLE: OL Lance Heard
PROBABLE: DB William Wright, LB Ben Bolton, OL William Satterwhite
The only big question (no pun intended) is whether or not Lance Heard actually plays this week. Heard missed the game against Kent State last week, but all rumblings suggest Heard was a healthy scratch and should be available in Norman this week.
You already knew Jourdan Thomas was out this week, and neither John Slaughter nor Sham Umarov were expected to see the field for extended periods. Nobody in the probable category should see the field unless it gets one sided.
Let’s look at the Oklahoma side:
OUT: WR Jalil Farooq, WR Jayden Gibson, DB Gentry Williams, OL Geirean Hatchett
DOUBTFUL: LB Dasan McCullough
QUESTIONABLE: TE Kade McIntyre, OL Branson Hickman, OL Jake Taylor
PROBABLE: WR Nic Anderson, WR Andrel Anthony, DB Kendel Dolby, OL Troy Everett
The biggest story here is Nic Anderson and Andrel Anthony both listed as probable. The Sooners’ receiver depth has been tested by injury to begin the season as Deion Burks has been the only heavy contributor to remain healthy the whole way through. Anderson in particular is a big get as he finished 2023 with 798 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Kendel Dolby is the other heavy contributor from 2023 listed as probable, something the Sooners will need at the nickel spot with Dasan McCullough listed as doubtful.
The two questionables to keep an eye on are offensive linemen Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor. Taylor didn’t see the field a lot last season but was a projected starter going into the season, and Hickman is an SMU transfer with three years of starting experience. The offensive line takes a big step forward from what we’ve seen in the opening weekends should those guys play.
Gentry Williams is the only player close to getting back on the field soon for the Sooners that is out this week. Both Jayden Gibson and Geirean Hatchett are out for the season and Jalil Farooq has at least three or four more weeks before he returns.
