Josh Heupel updates David Sanders Jr. status, Tennessee injuries against Syracuse

Josh Heupel said he expected David Sanders Jr. to be available for Tennessee Football in Saturday’s season-opening game against Syracuse, but the five-star freshman tackle was ruled out by the training staff Saturday morning.

Heupel didn’t disclose the injury but said Sanders got “nicked up” late in Wednesday’s practice.

“Anticipated him being able to play,” Heupel said during his postgame press conference after Tennessee’s 45-26 win. “This morning, our medical staff just felt like probably wasn’t the right thing to do. We are always going to be mindful of our guys and their health.”

Heupel added that he expected Sanders to be ready next week. Tennessee hosts ETSU in the home opener Saturday (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, SEC Network+/ESPN+) at Neyland Stadium. The Vols open SEC play at home against Georgia on September 13 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Sanders was in street clothes when Tennessee came to the field for pregame Saturday morning. Volquest was told at the time that Sanders was injured in practice this week, but it wasn’t expected to be a longterm issue.

“It was hard for David when he got that news,” Heupel said. “He anticipated being ready to play. … I thought he handled it extremely well.”

Sanders is Tennessee’s starting right tackle and Brian Grant is listed as the backup, but Jesse Perry replaced Sanders at right tackle while Wendell Moe replaced Perry at right guard and Shamurad Umarov replaced Moe at left guard. Sam Pendleton started at center and Lance Heard started at left tackle.

The injury bug kept biting the Vols as the game went on.

Defensive lineman Jaxson Moi and cornerback Rickie Gibson III were both lost to apparent arm injuries in the first half. Defensive lineman Nathan Robinson also left the game late in the first half.

Arion Carter left the game with cramps in the third quarter and quarterback Joey Aguilar spent time in the injury tent while dealing with what was described as a lower-body injury.

Aguilar did not miss any snaps, finishing the game with 247 yards passing and three touchdowns.