With Von Pearson out for Saturday’s game, Tennessee wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni will look to his depth chart to find a replacement. Pearson won’t travel with the team to Oklahoma after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Vols’ 34-19 victory over Arkansas State last week.

Prior to his injury, Pearson enjoyed a breakout performance, leading Tennessee with 71 yards and four receptions. The former JUCO all-american transfer caught seven passes for 98 yards and one touchdown in the Vols’ first two games.

The pressure is on Azzanni to find a replacement for Saturday’s game.

“We have some depth at [wide receiver],” Azzanni said. “Josh Smith has stepped right in and done a great job. Those guys split reps anyways. It is really now just having Johnathon Johnson back and healthy, which really helps because he can go in there and split with Josh. It has worked out well for us.”

Pearson’s injury gives Tennessee’s young receivers a chance to step up and gain extra playing time and experience.

“It is a setback, offensively, for us, but the way I look at it is it’s another individual’s opportunity to step up,” head coach Butch Jones said. “It’s more reps for Josh Malone. It’s more reps for Josh Smith. It’s more reps for Jason Croom, Alton Howard. All these individuals, their reps are going to increase because of it and maybe even Vic Wharton if we get him back healthy. So again it’s an opportunity when you have competition across the board when one individual goes down. It also serves as an opportunity for the next person to come in.”

Tennessee’s receivers have accounted for 520 yards and five touchdowns among 12 different players. The Vols will have their hands full against a talented Oklahoma secondary that includes standout cornerback Zack Sanchez, who is expected to play, despite a shoulder injury suffered against Tulsa last weekend.