Jeremy Pruitt shares latest updates on Brian Maurer, Jarrett Guarantano heading into UAB week
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Tennessee’s situation at quarterback is less than ideal following injuries to Brian Maurer and Jarrett Guarantano, but things could be much worse for Jeremy Pruitt and his team as they enter November featuring a four-game must-win stretch without some luck on the injury front.
Maurer missed much of the Alabama game and the entire South Carolina game after suffering a blow to the head in consecutive games while Guarantano did not return to the field Saturday night after injuring his left wrist.
Pruitt noted on Sunday that Guarantano would have surgery but is still expected to play on Saturday.
During his Monday press conference, Pruitt noted that his junior signal-caller had his best performance of the season against South Carolina. Considering the ending of the Alabama game and the backlash thrown at Guarantano all last week, his performance on Saturday was all the more impressive.
“That was the Jarrett that I had seen in practice most of the year,” Pruitt noted.
If Guarantano is unable to play against UAB, Tennessee’s three-man QB room dwindles to two, and that’s counting the uncertainty surrounding Maurer. According to Pruitt, Tennessee expects the freshman to play on Saturday.
“He is going to go out there and start practice this week. He’s ready to go,” the Tennessee coach said.
Pruitt is still holding out hope that Guarantano will also manage to be cleared in time for UAB.
“I’m sure he will be limited for a day or two but he will be ready to go, unless something happens that I don’t expect,” Pruitt noted.
The Tennessee coach added that Guarantano will not practice on Monday but is expected to return on Tuesday. The Vols may need him back, especially if Maurer is hit with a setback this week, as the momentum gained against South Carolina will all be for naught if Tennessee comes out and lays an egg against UAB on Saturday.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
