Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel confirms key defender will remain out against Texas A&M
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel confirmed on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference that linebacker Keenan Pili will remain out for UT's game this weekend against Texas A&M. Pili, who transferred to Tennessee from BYU during the offseason, hasn't played since suffering an injury in the Vols' season-opening win against Virginia. "We’ll see where […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel confirmed on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference that linebacker Keenan Pili will remain out for UT's game this weekend against Texas A&M.
Pili, who transferred to Tennessee from BYU during the offseason, hasn't played since suffering an injury in the Vols' season-opening win against Virginia.
"We’ll see where we’re at here a little bit week by week," said Heupel when asked about Pili. "He’s not ready to go in this one. But we’ll continue to see where he is at. Our young guys are continuing to step up at that position, but Keenan’s a special leader and he still has been even while he's been out. He’s one of the first ones in the building constantly watching film. Think he’s been a real help to the young guys that are out there on the football field. And he’s fighting his butt off to get back as soon as possible and obviously we feel like he’s a difference maker.”
Heupel said after the injury occurred that Pili would miss "a couple of weeks" and he also said he didn't think the inury was season-ending.
Pili looked like he was going to be an instant-difference maker for the Vols after playing well in his debut against Virginia, but sports can be cruel at times.
If there's a silver lining when it comes to Pili's injury, it's that it's forced young players — Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander — to step up and play a bigger role on defense for the Vols.
If/when Pili returns, the Vols will have a linebacker room that's as deep as any linebacker room in the nation.
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