Tennessee is going to have a scary good defense regardless if Shy Tuttle starts the season or not. They have guys like Jonathan Kongbo, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Cam Sutton and Kahlil McKenzie. However, having Tuttle would make a world of difference because it would become nearly impossible to block the big boys along the defensive line and it seems he's getting close to making his return.
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Tuttle missed a little more than half the season after suffering a broken fibula and torn ankle ligament after taking what head coach Butch Jones a called a "dirty" shot below the knees.
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Jones says that Tuttle is progressing though and has been cleared to run right now. He is hoping to get Tuttle back in time for the season opener against Appalachian State, but the staff is going to be cautious about giving him too much work right now.
"Shy Tuttle is progressing. 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."
The true freshman broke into the defensive tackle rotation as a true freshman last season. He recorded 10 tackles in six games.
[h/t Knoxville News Sentinel]
