Jermod McCoy, Tennessee’s All-America cornerback and a projected 2026 NFL first-round draft pick, was an active participant at practice for the first time this preseason.
It’s the best news the Vols have gotten since preseason practice began.
McCoy tore his ACL during a training session in January, underwent surgery and rehabbed this offseason. He had been working out with athletic trainers in the indoor facility.
But on Aug. 8, the seventh practice of preseason, McCoy took part in individual drills alongside teammates on the outdoor practice field during periods open to the media. He wore an orange jersey rather than red, which designates injured players.
However, McCoy did not take contact or compete against players in live drills. Instead, he did light work and defended graduate assistant coaches, who stood in as receivers in pass coverage drills.
When defensive backs transitioned to live work against receivers in passing drills, McCoy stayed behind. He still faces numerous stages in his rehab in order to return to lineup in regular-season games. But this was a big step toward that goal.
Coach Josh Heupel has not given a projected date for McCoy’s return.
“I don’t (have an update on McCoy’s status),” Heupel said on July 15 at SEC media days.. “With his injury and the rehab process, it’s how he encounters the next phase and the next stage as he continues to prepare himself to get ready to play.”
This story will be updated.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email ad*********@******ws.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy injury update: Tennessee All-America cornerback returns to practice