Clik here to view.
Tennessee linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Dillon Bates will miss the rest of spring practice. Head coach Butch Jones confirmed that both players will be out until June, although he did not specify about the prognosis of either injury.
While news of the team’s defensive leader being unable to participate in spring practice — and holding his arm in a sling — is hardly worth celebrating, Tennessee fans shouldn’t worry too much. Reeves-Maybin is a rising senior who’s expected to be one of the Vols best returning players on either side of the football.
I’m not trying to say that spring practice is “unnecessary” but in Reeves-Maybin’s case, it’s just protocol now. He’s earned his spot as Tennessee’s starting linebacker and doesn’t need to use spring drills as a way to gain more playing time or experience.
Bates, however, is a different story.
The former 4-star linebacker took a medical redshirt in 2014 after missing the majority of his first season due to a torn labrum. He played all 13 games in 2015, but saw limited action as a special teams player and reserve linebacker.
“Dillon Bates, as well, will miss the rest of spring,” Jones said on Tuesday. “Fortunately, just like Jalen, he should be back by the first week of June, too, so they should not miss any reps for the season. It’s other opportunities for other players to really assert themselves and put their football identity on video.”
Again, both players should make a full recovery when the team resumes camp this summer so it’s not too much of a cause for concern. But in Bates’ case, he will miss out on spring reps as he hopes to make a transition from special teams player to a starting outside linebacker, much like Reeves-Maybin did during his sophomore season.
“It’s unfortunate, very unfortunate, because Dillon has worked extremely hard to get back and put himself in position to compete,” Jones said. “But, you know what? That’s the breaks, and that’s the mental toughness that we talk about. He’s shown great resiliency and perseverance, and he’ll bounce back, and he’ll be better for it.”
From the looks of it, Tennessee’s linebackers seem to be plagued by injuries. Given the team’s misfortune with keeping players healthy before the season — including redshirt senior Curt Maggitt missing all but two games in 2015 — fans wouldn’t be wrong to feel uneasy. But injuries occur all the time in football and spring practice is no exception. It’s better for Tennessee to be cautious now rather than force its players through drills in the offseason.
Clik here to view.
Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire
Sure, Bates is losing some ground by sitting out until June, but he still has a chance to make the Vols’ starting lineup this summer. If he’s anywhere near what scouts expected his potential to be, Bates will be able to beat out his competition, despite missing time.
For Reeves-Maybin, sitting out in spring is a smart precautionary decision even if he was able to play through the pain. However, it seems that his injury has a favorable timetable of recovery so he should still get enough reps to be ready for Tennessee’s season opener against Appalachian State on Sept. 3.
The Vols have one of the best returning lineups in the SEC and should be a threat to contend for a conference championship if they can stay healthy. It’s too early to worry about injuries spoiling a potential SEC East division title, unless Jones is holding back on how serious they are.
Fans should still be optimistic about both players making a full recovery rather than playing through injuries and making them worse.
The post Hall: Vols making the right move with injured linebackers appeared first on Today's "U".