Tennessee’s football program received a setback when sophomore wide receiver Joakim Dodson was ruled out for the rest of his season after suffering an injury in a 56-9 victory over Furman.
Dodson, who appeared in only five games during his freshman year and recorded two catches for 38 yards, logged 15 snaps with a PFF grade of 54.0 in the game where he was hurt, underscoring his limited but growing role on the field.
Depth Chart reshaped after injury
With Dodson sidelined, freshman Tyreek King is expected to move up the depth chart to take the slot receiver position, a role that was previously dominated by senior Braylon Staley, who was slated to handle the majority of slot snaps.
Coach Josh Heupel emphasized that King must continue to develop and improve his performance, noting that the youngster will be second in line behind Staley until he proves his readiness.
If King fails to secure the job, senior Mike Matthews may assume a larger share of slot responsibilities, joining Travis Smith Jr., Radarious Jackson and TK Keys in the competition for snaps.
On the special teams side, Daune Morris remains the primary kick returner, while Javin Gordon and Isaiah Hardge serve as secondary options; Morris also operates as a third‑string running back behind DeSean Bishop and Gordon.
The combined adjustments aim to keep Tennessee’s offense potent despite the loss of a key contributor, as the Volunteers lean on youthful talent and depth to navigate the remainder of the season.