Heupel Expects DeSean Bishop Back in Good Shape After Ankle Scare

Tennessee appears to have avoided a serious problem with its leading running back. DeSean Bishop left the South Carolina game late, at a moment when the Volunteers could have used him most, with what looked like an ankle injury, and he could not return. That absence included a key fourth down that might have put the game away. On Wednesday, head coach Josh Heupel sounded encouraged about where Bishop stands.

Heupel said the staff feels Bishop will be in a good spot for next week, noting that the running back did get some work in on Wednesday while being limited. Part of that caution was the ankle itself, and part of it was simply the workload Bishop has carried through the early stretch of conference play. He has handled 32 carries in each of the last two weeks, turning those touches into 279 yards and three touchdowns.

The season totals explain why Tennessee is being careful. Bishop, a former walk-on now in his junior season, is up to 171 carries for 957 yards and 11 scores, and he is closing in on career school rushing records with four regular season games still to play. Heupel called him a massive part of the team who has played at a really high level, and said the Volunteers will need him at his best down the stretch.

Load management is part of that conversation for a reason. Tennessee remembers 2024, when Dylan Sampson was ridden hard all season and a late injury sidelined him for the College Football Playoff matchup at Ohio State. The Volunteers do have other options, with Javin Gordon back in the mix over the last couple of weeks and Daune Morris continuing to contribute, but the offense is at its best when Bishop is wearing defenses down late.

A full bye week should help. Bishop has that time to heal before Tennessee returns to action next weekend against Kentucky, and if Heupel's update holds, the Volunteers should have their No. 18 ready for the closing run.