Six games into his true freshman season, 6-foot-2, 311-pound defensive tackle Shy Tuttle had emerged as one of the Volunteers best defensive players. Unfortunately for the Vols, Tuttle didn’t survive unscathed to see game seven.
Tuttle broke his fibula and tore an ankle ligament in Tennessee’s Oct. 10 come from behind win against Georgia last season after receiving a questionable block from Bulldog offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow. Continuing to work hard to rehab from his injury, Tuttle’s status for the season opener has been questionable this summer.
While speaking to the Rotary Clubs of Knoxville, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones gave his first publicly optimistic outlook for his sophomore defensive lineman, according to Dustin Dopirak of GoVols247.
“Shy Tuttle is progressing,” Jones said Tuesday. “He’ll be limited in August camp. We have to do a great job of making sure he’s in shape, but he’s been cleared to run. He’s worked exceptionally hard, but it’s going to be touch and go every day. It’s going to be how his body works to heal. Every day, we’ll know a little something more. We anticipate him being ready for the first game, but we’ll see how that goes.”
Considering the Vols open at home against Appalachian State, if Tuttle is healthy, the team may be wise to limit his snaps as he continues to rehab back to full strength.
Getting the big lineman back for Florida and SEC play will be critical for the team’s ultimate success. After hearing Jones’ latest remarks, signs are good that Tuttle will at least be available to participate against the Gators come Sept. 24.
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
