Tennessee OT David Sanders Jr. Out Again for ETSU Home Opener

Tennessee Volunteers football team will be without five-star freshman offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. for their home opener against East Tennessee State (ETSU), marking his second consecutive missed game due to a minor shoulder injury sustained in practice. Sanders, the projected starter at right tackle and the top offensive tackle in the 2025 class, was a surprise scratch for the season opener against Syracuse and remains sidelined as he continues rehabilitation. Coach Josh Heupel emphasized caution in handling Sanders' injury and expressed hope for his return in the upcoming game against Georgia, though the timeline remains uncertain. In Sanders’ absence, redshirt freshman Jesse Perry has started at right tackle, with other offensive line adjustments including Wendell Moe Jr. and Shamurad Umarov stepping into guard positions. Tennessee is also missing key defensive players such as cornerback Rickey Gibson, defensive tackle Jaxson Moi, and Daevin Hobbs, further impacting the team’s lineup. Despite these injuries, Tennessee is heavily favored to win against ETSU and is aiming to manage player health carefully as they prepare for a challenging SEC opener.