Daevin Hobbs injury update: Latest on Tennessee defensive lineman

Tennessee defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs suffered a stress fracture last week and is expected to miss multiple games, a source tells On3. The Sept. 13 SEC opener against Georgia is being targeted as the return date.

Hobbs is one of the Vols’ top three defensive tackles entering his third year, along with seniors Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi. Hobbs posted 20 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a sack. The former four-star recruit has worked through injuries since arriving in Knoxville.

With Daevin Hobbs sidelined for at least the first two games of the season, Tennessee will lean on freshmen Ethan Utley and Isaiah Campbell. The Vols also have depth with junior college defensive tackle Jamal Wallace, Grand Valley State transfer Josh Schell and redshirt freshman Nathan Robinson, who has struggled to stay healthy since his arrival on campus.

“Those guys have done a really good job,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recently said of the young defensive tackles. “You look at where they were in January when they got here. The player that they were in spring ball, dealing with the growth of what they’re doing here in training camp.

“Ethan Utley is explosive. Is playing twitchy at the line of scrimmage and doing a good job at the point of attack. Isaiah Campbell has a wide hip but is strong with explosive power. All those guys continue to grow in a really good way.”

On3’s Chris Low and Brett McMurphy reported on Friday that Tennessee All-America cornerback Jermod McCoy will miss Saturday’s opener against Syracuse and is expected to miss multiple games. Defensive back Boo Carter also isn’t expected to start in the opener after leaving campus for a week-plus during the offseason and missing voluntary workouts.

Saturday’s season opener against Syracuse in Atlanta is scheduled for noon ET on ABC.