Tennessee wide receiver Josh Smith underwent surgery on his ankle after participating in an “exploratory procedure” to see if the process was necessary, head coach Butch Jones confirmed Monday. Jones said that the sophomore wide receiver was further examined during Tennessee’s bye week after missing several games.

“[Smith] went through an exploratory procedure where they determine if you need surgery or not,” Jones said. “They did go in there and decided that he needed surgery so he did have surgery. He had his ankle scoped, they tightened the joint up. He’ll be out the rest of the season and we’ll have him back for spring football.

Smith, who sat out the last six games since suffering the injury against Oklahoma in Week 3, will opt for a medical redshirt.

“We we’re hoping to get him back but the ankle wasn’t healing appropriately,” Jones said. “But it’s exciting that we gained a year back because of the medical redshirt so we’ll have him back.”

Smith played in the Vols’ first three games and recorded 135 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches.