There's a tough reality that Tennessee fans need to accept about Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy's ACL injury
The Tennessee Vols received some brutal news this week as rising junior cornerback Jermod McCoy reportedly suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout. McCoy, who transferred from Oregon State to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season, was one of top graded cornerbacks in the nation this past season. According a report from VolQuest, McCoy, […]
The Tennessee Vols received some brutal news this week as rising junior cornerback Jermod McCoy reportedly suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout.
McCoy, who transferred from Oregon State to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season, was one of top graded cornerbacks in the nation this past season.
According a report from VolQuest, McCoy, who has already had surgery to repair his torn ACL, has a projected return date near the start of the 2025 season.
McCoy is obviously an impact player for the Vols. Losing him for any amount of time is a tough blow to the program. If he can return near the start of the 2025 season, that would be huge for Tennessee as the program looks to reach the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
But I'm not sure that McCoy returning in early 2025 is realistic. In fact, I don't think we can completely rule out the possibility of McCoy missing the entire 2025 season.
Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs, for example, tore his ACL on September 21, 2023. Diggs wasn't cleared to return to practice until July 31, 2024 — 10 months after suffering the torn ACL.
The former Alabama standout was then "eased" back into action before taking the field 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 "several weeks ahead of schedule".
If McCoy suffered his ACL injury in early January, the best case scenario, based on Diggs' timeline, would be returning to practice in November, ramping up for a month, and then potentially playing in games in December (if the Vols are in the College Football Playoff). That's assuming there are no setbacks during McCoy's recovery.
Look, I'm not saying that McCoy can't return early in the 2025 season as reports have suggested that he might. We don't know the full extent of the damage to McCoy's knee or what went into the repair. I just don't think it's fair for fans and media to expect him back in early 2025. The first priority for McCoy will be making sure his knee is healthy for the long haul. I have no doubt that he wants to be on the field competing with his teammates as soon as possible, but making sure his knee is fully recovered so he can enjoy a professional career has to be the top priority for McCoy. He shouldn't feel "rushed" to get back on the field at Tennessee.
If McCoy is able to return in 2025 and play a key role for the Volunteers, then that'll be great for Tennessee and for the fan base. I'm just not sure that's a realistic scenario for the elite cornerback.
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