Tennessee will be without its top wide receiver for the majority of the 2017 season.
Jauan Jennings is expected to miss up to 12 weeks of action due to a dislocated wrist, according to Volquest.com.
Jennings suffered the injury during the second quarter of Tennessee's 42-41 overtime win over Georgia Tech on Monday. Head coach Butch Jones said during his postgame press conference that he hoped to have an update on the wide receiver later in the week, but sources told Volquest that Jennings is scheduled to undergo surgery later Tuesday afternoon.
Here is the likely moment the injury occurred:
Jennings recorded three receptions for 17 yards during Monday night's season opener. Sophomore Marquez Callaway, who will likely take over as the team's new primary receiver, stepped up in his absence with four catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
"When we first found out we were still on the field (in the 2nd quarter)," Callaway said to reporters about Jennings after the game."They came to us and said Jauan may not be back, his wrist was kind of messed up. I didn't think anything too bad happened. Jeff (George) told me he saw it was kind of limp (the wrist) so I was hoping it wasn't as bad.
"But when we came in after the game and saw him you could tell he was depressed about it. It's a minor setback for a major comeback. He'll be back, he's still going to be there even though he can't be on the field with us, he's still going to be there."
Jennings was the only active Tennessee wide receiver with a touchdown catch prior to Monday's game. Senior Josh Smith, who is currently nursing a shoulder sprain, is expected to return to action soon.
Jennings was also the team's leading returning receiver with 40 receptions for 580 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. He emerged as a favorite among Vol fans after recording a big touchdown during the team's win against Florida, as well as a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown to defeat Georgia last season.
