Tennessee looks to bounce back from its loss to Pittsburgh as in-state FCS program Tennessee Tech visits Knoxville on Sept. 18. All eyes are on the Volunteers quarterback room as Joe Milton was forced to exit due to an apparent leg injury. Hendon Hooker replaced him and was 15-of-21 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked about the condition of Milton heading into preparation for Saturday’s game against the Golden Eagles.

“I don’t know where he’s at healthwise at this moment,” Heupel said in his weekly press conference on Monday. “Right now, as we go forward, the guys that are healthy will be ready to go compete and play. We’ll find out where Joe is in the middle of the week.”

Heupel discussed the areas of opportunity Milton had in order to continue to grow within his role.

” [There were] multiple occasions where we’re running free in the secondary, and there’s nobody relatively close,” he said. “At this level of play against a good defense, [those are] plays that we have to make. Got to be able to throw it, catch it, be a little bit better in protection at times, too, but certainly things that he can function at and has shown that he has the ability to do that.”

If Milton is healthy, is there a chance Hooker starts against Tennessee Tech anyway?

“We’ll find out where (Milton)’s at during the course of the week,” Heupel said. “[But] there’s multiple factors that play in (who’s) going to be taking snaps.”