DeSean Bishop Expected Back for Kentucky After Ankle Injury at South Carolina

Tennessee expects running back DeSean Bishop to be available when the Volunteers come off their open date to host Kentucky. Head coach Josh Heupel said on the SEC coaches teleconference that Bishop should be in good shape for next week, noting that the back did get some work in but was held back some, partly because of his ankle and partly because of the heavy workload he has carried early in conference play.

Bishop was hurt on a late third-down play in Tennessee's 27-24 loss at South Carolina, with trainers appearing to examine his right ankle. He was not on the field for the fourth-and-1 that followed or for the Vols' two-minute drive to close the game, an absence that underlined how central he has become to the offense.

The numbers show why Tennessee needs him healthy. Bishop has rushed for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns on 171 carries this season, marks that rank in the top 10 nationally, and he has topped 100 yards five times, including each of the last four games. That run included 220 yards and three touchdowns against Auburn, and heavy use throughout league play, with 34 carries against Auburn, 32 against both Alabama and South Carolina, and 19 against Arkansas. According to PFF, his 671 yards after contact rank second nationally and his 39 forced missed tackles rank seventh.

The drop-off behind him makes his return even more important. Daune Morris has rushed for 349 yards and two touchdowns and Javin Gordon, who served as the backup at South Carolina after missing time earlier this season, has 120 yards. With Kentucky, ranked No. 9 at 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC, coming to Neyland Stadium next, and Tennessee likely needing to win out to stay in College Football Playoff contention, getting Bishop back at full strength during the open week is a timely boost.