Tennessee coach Butch Jones indicated on Monday that there was no reason to be concerned with Jalen Hurd's status after the star running back left the Georgia game with an undisclosed injury. On Thursday, Jones told 104.5 in Nashville that Hurd was a game-time decision. Again, there were no specifics on the injury. That changed Thursday night.
Despite Jones' optimism, 247Sports reports that it is highly unlikely Hurd will play against Texas A&M on Saturday in College Station, Texas, in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week.
GoVols247 reported Thursday night that Hurd hasn't practiced all week due to lingering effects from the injury suffered at Georgia and is not expected to play against the Aggies.
"Indications are that it is not a lower-extremity injury nor is he being benched or in the doghouse," 247Sports' John Brice wrote. "No one wants to say but it's been indicated by numerous people it's an upper-body injury."
Hurd is a phenomenal talent, but his absence might not be as damning as you might think. Alvin Kamara, a team captain and strong runner in his own right, would see more action and Tennessee's offense has been working to get the vertical passing attack rolling with Joshua Dobbs.
Tennessee is not expected to have linebacker Jaylen Reeves-Maybin in the lineup either, but Jones did say that Darrin Kirkland Jr., who has been out for weeks, is "day to day." If Kirkland isn't able to suit up for Texas A&M, it seems like he'll make his return for the Alabama game in Week 7 back in Knoxville.
