If it wasn’t for bad luck, Tennessee’s receiving corps would’ve had no luck at all in 2014.
Josh Smith is out for the year with a severe ankle injury sustained in early September, while Marquez North won’t play again this season because of a shoulder injury. Little-used Cody Blanc also sustained a season-ending Achilles injury, while Von Pearson missed games earlier in the year because of a high-ankle sprain.
Wes Rucker of GoVols.com is reporting that, according to UT receivers coach Zach Azzanni, Jason Croom will not play in the Gator Bowl against Iowa. Croom sustained a knee injury during practice earlier this week.
It’s unclear if it’s the same knee Croom injured late last month. What’s also unclear is the specific nature of the injury.
“It’s very disappointing,” Azzanni said. “I feel sorry for him. Here’s a guy that’s busted his tail and gotten better all season long and done everything I asked of him. Just doesn’t say a word and works his tail off. The game gets taken away here at the end, one he’d love to play in. First bowl game.”
Among receivers with 10 or more catches, Croom leads the team in yards per catch at 14.5, while he’s fourth in receiving yards (305) and tied for sixth in receptions (21). His four receiving touchdowns are tied for first on the team.