The Justin Worley mystery continues.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee quarterback, who exited midway through the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss after banging his right shoulder on the ground, appeared to go though quarterback drills without any limitations during the three periods open to the media.
But that effort came after the senior signal caller didn’t throw a pass during Tuesday’s two open practice sessions.
“It’s ongoing, we’re going to have to make a decision later in the week on Justin’s status,” head coach Butch Jones said Wednesday night on Vol Calls. “We’ll know a little bit more as the week progresses.”
Following UT’s Wednesday practice at Haslam Field, a similar non-committal status update arrived from his offensive coordinator.
“He continues to progress everyday,” Mike Bajakian said.
Should Worley miss any time this Saturday versus No. 4 Alabama, the signal calling duties would likely fall on the shoulders of backup quarterback Nathan Peterman, who’s thrown for just 39 yard this season.
Peterman has seen action in four of UT’s seven games — he relieved an injured Worley last Saturday but didn’t attempt a pass, rushing for nine yards on just two carries.
Meanwhile, Josh Dobbs, who hasn’t seen action this season, has been pegged as a possible redshirt candidate, but Bajakian indicated the sophomore signal caller “has always prepared since day one to play when called upon.”
“I’d say, again whether it be injury or just a matter of him being needed,” the Vols’ offensive coordinator said when asked if there’s a scenario where Dobbs could see the field this season.
“We always stress to all of our players — quarterback obviously included — to prepare if you’re the starter. The approach never changes for them. When you approach day-to-day with an intensity to improve, you never know when your number’s going to get called. They’ve continued to progress throughout the season too.”
O-line enigma: The Vols’ offensive line situation gained a bit of clarity as redshirt junior left guard Marcus Jackson returned to practice Wednesday during the three periods available to the media. Meanwhile, freshman right tackle Coleman Thomas (ankle) remained a no-show on the practice field for the second consecutive day.
“Right now,” Jones said Wednesday, “I would probably not anticipate (Thomas) playing.”
While Don Mahoney deemed Jacob Gilliam as the likely right tackle replacement if Thomas can’t go, the Vols’ offensive line coach also indicated that redshirt freshman Brett Kendrick, who subbed in at Ole Miss and started earlier in the season against Arkansas State, could see action this Saturday versus the Crimson Tide.
“Confidence in Brett Kendrick — with again the progress he’s made up to last week and just some of the thing he did in the ballgame — his mental state is really good in terms of understanding what we’re doing,” Mahoney said. “He’s one of the smarter guys in the room and does a good job of that. The confidence in his play has been really good. What he’s been able to do in practice now has got to translate into the game more.”
Draw it up Mike: While Jones said Monday that play-calling is viewed as a “magical cure” and that — in reality — a negative play isn’t always the result of a bad play call, Bajakian retracted that statement just a tad on Wednesday.
“When they work, it’s a great play call, and when it doesn’t work it’s a bad play call,” Bajakian said. “You can always look back and reevaluate it. I always evaluate myself pretty harshly and try to see where I could’ve put us in better situations.
“We as coaches are our own worst critics, believe it or not. I know there’s a lot of critics out there, but I’m as hard on myself as anyone else could be.”
