The value of a redshirt doesn’t carry much weight with Tennessee coach Butch Jones, according to his comments from a Wednesday press conference.

The issue came up given Tennessee’s quarterback depth chart and if Jarrett Guarantano were to lose his helmet and have to sit out a play. The Vols’ quarterback depth was hit by Quinten Dormady’s season-ending shoulder surgery, which brought the possibility of freshman Will McBride being inserted. That would happen even for one play, according to the coach, and therefore use up his redshirt.

Guarantano is 50-for-81 passing for 473 yards this season on a 61 percent completion rate. He has one touchdown and one interception. Guarantano took over as starter at quarterback for the Alabama game after Dormady started the first five games.

McBride enrolled in January after he was a 3-star prospect, according to 247 Sports.

The embattled coach’s comments on the issue drew an immediate backlash from Tennessee fans who, for example, would’ve preferred he said running back John Kelly would take a snap from a Wildcat formation. Others have noted that given Jones’ job security in Knoxville, he is no longer thinking of the future, such as when McBride might be the starting quarterback.

Tennessee will play host to Southern Miss on homecoming on Saturday.