Five Tennessee players are inactive for Saturday’s matchup against Florida. Receiver Cedric Tillman, running back Dylan Sampson, linebacker Kwauze Garland and defensive backs Warren Burrell and Dee Williams will not suit up for the Vols.
Tillman is out as ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported Saturday morning. Being without Tillman is by far the biggest injury blow to Tennessee. With one of the SEC’s top receivers sidelined, a number of Vols receivers will have to step up.
That means more targets for starters Bru McCoy and Jalin Hyatt and more snaps for more back ups Ramel Keyton, Walker Merrill and Squirrel White.
Like Tillman, Sampson suffered his injury in last week’s win over Akron. Without the freshman tailback, the health of Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright is extremely important.
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Garland — a reserve linebacker — missed the last two games after recording one tackle in the season opener.
Williams has yet to make his Tennessee debut after transferring in from junior college this offseason. The 5-foot-11 corner is a backup corner on Tennessee’s depth chart and a co-starter at punt returner.
Burrell is missing his second straight game after starting in both of the first two games of the season.
With Burrell and Williams sidelined, Christian Charles and potentially Brandon Turnage will step into a bigger role.
Kickoff between the Vols and Gators is at 3:30 p.m. ET.
