As we enter the final stretch of the 2019 season, the Tennessee Vols are dealing with some injury issues — specifically at quarterback.
True freshman Brian Maurer, who started against Mississippi State and Alabama, missed the Vols’ victory against South Carolina due to a concussion.
Redshirt freshman JT Shrout and redshirt junior Jarrett Guarantano (along with wide receiver Jauan Jennings) filled in at quarterback with Maurer out.
In the process, however, Guarantano suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand. The New Jersey native underwent surgery after the game and had a screw inserted into his hand.
While that doesn’t sound good, it doesn’t appear that the injury is going to sideline Guarantano. Pruitt told reporters on Monday that Guarantano will be “ready to go” this week (though he won’t practice on Monday).
Pruitt said Jarrett Guarantano will be limited “for a day or two” but will be ready to go this week “unless something happens that I don’t know about.”
— David Ubben (@davidubben) October 28, 2019
Maurer will also be ready to go this week.
Pruitt: Brian is going to be out there for practice, he’s ready to go.
-On QB Brian Maurer #Vols
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 28, 2019
This is obviously great news for Tennessee. The Vols still have a chance to finish the season with a 7-5 record. But for that to happen, they’ll likely need all three of their quarterbacks healthy.
Pruitt would be wise to play all three quarterbacks against UAB. It actually sounds like he’d prefer to play all three anyway.
Jeremy Pruitt on juggling three quarterbacks:
We might play all three of them. Rotate ‘em each play like (Steve) Spurrier. I kind of like that. Get the call from the sideline and go run out there and make a play.
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) October 28, 2019
It certainly worked against South Carolina, so I wouldn’t blame Pruitt for trying it against UAB.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
