Tennessee Vols fans were warned about Jermod McCoy’s recovery from a torn ACL during the offseason

There was some speculation in recent weeks that Tennessee Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy, who tore his ACL in early January, might make his season debut this weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Unfortunately for McCoy and the Vols, it doesn’t appear that will be the case. On3’s Chris Low and Pete Nakos reported on Monday that […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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There was some speculation in recent weeks that Tennessee Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy, who tore his ACL in early January, might make his season debut this weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Unfortunately for McCoy and the Vols, it doesn’t appear that will be the case.

On3’s Chris Low and Pete Nakos reported on Monday that McCoy is unlikely to play against Arkansas.

The report from On3 came shortly after Vols head coach Josh Heupel addressed McCoy’s status during his weekly press conference.

“Jermod continues to do a great job in his rehab with our medical staff and our strength staff,” said Heupel. “Somebody told me there was a report out there of a certain ball game that he’s focused in on as far as returning. I think that’s unfair. Whoever put that out there, I don’t think truly understands Jermod and the situation.

“He’s done a really good job. He’s got more to go. I think it’s all about him being prepared to go play. There’s a lot of things that go into that. You look at the position he plays, all the reactionary work that you have to have. And so, you’re always balancing his ability to be prepared, and [his] short-term and long-term health as well.”

Tennessee Vols fans were warned about Jermod McCoy’s recovery process during the offseason and now they’re seeing why

McCoy is only nine months out from his ACL injury. I don’t think it’s a surprise that he’s not quite ready to return to the field. In fact, I would be even more surprised if he were ready to return to action.

When McCoy suffered the injury in January, I wrote that Tennessee fans needed to accept that it could be November or December before McCoy returns — if he returns at all.

ACL recoveries can be unpredictable, and every athlete recovers differently.

Typically, though, it’s nearly a year before most athletes are ready to return to the field.

As I noted in January, Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs tore his ACL on September 21, 2023. Diggs wasn’t cleared to return to practice until July 31, 2024, which was 10 months after suffering the injury. 

Diggs was then “eased” back into action before playing for the Cowboys in Week One of the 2024 NFL season (September 8 — 353 days after suffering the torn ACL). 

Diggs’ recovery was described by DallasCowboys.com as being “several weeks ahead of schedule”. 

There’s no doubt that McCoy is pushing hard to return to the field for the Volunteers. But McCoy’s longterm health is the top priority here. Just because he’s anxious to play doesn’t mean he can just be cut loose. This is a recovery that can be a long process, and the last few steps to being cleared can drag out (especially for cornerbacks who, as Heupel noted, do a lot of reactionary work, which can be tough on ACLs).

If McCoy returns this season, it’ll be a huge boost for Tennessee’s defense. But until he returns, I think the Vols have to prepare as if he won’t play this season.

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