Georgia might be taking on a banged-up Tennessee team this Saturday.
The Vols will already be without starting cornerback Ricky Gibson III (arm injury) and Jermod McCoy is still waiting to be cleared as he recovers from a torn ACL. Now, the Tennessee defense may be hampered further by top defensive lineman Jaxson Moi potentially being a game-time decision.
Tennessee starting defensive tackle Jaxson Moi and offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. are both questionable for the UGA game. Moi left the first quarter of the opener against Syracuse with an upper body injury. Sanders missed the first two games. pic.twitter.com/1sHiu6tEvz
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2025
Moi was injured against Syracuse and missed last week's game against East Tennessee State. He's listed as questionable on the injury report and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has expressed optimism that Moi will play. The Volunteers are thin up front already with Daevin Hobbs out and Tyree Weathersby also listed as questionable.
Without Moi, Hobbs or Weathersby in the lineup last week, Tennessee had to play a lot of mix and match with their depth on the defensive line. That wasn't ideal, but the Volunteers could get away with it against a weaker opponent like ETSU. This week will be much different.
The Bulldogs are getting healthy up front
As Tennessee has questions about their defensive line, it appears that the Bulldogs are finding health along the right side of the offensive line. Starting tackle Earnest Greene has been upgraded to probable for Saturday and starting guard Juan Gaston remains questionable.
Coach Kirby Smart said during Wednesday's coaches teleconference that both players were in line to play Saturday.
"Both of those guys showed good progress [Tuesday[. I really liked the way both of them looked," Smart said. "I liked the reps they took. They'll take more reps [Wednesday] and just see where they are."
Smart also hinted that both players will have to show they are close to full health before being cleared because he expects a very physical contest.
"Well, this is not a game that you want somebody that's not 100% healthy out there playing. It's going to be physical. It's going to be quick. It's going to be violent. I mean, all SEC games are, but this one really is going to be that way," Smart added. "They play with really big, physical guys up front. You need all the power you can get. You need all the stamina you can get."