Cedric Tillman of Tennessee Volunteers recovering from ‘tightrope’ ankle surgical procedure, sources say

Tennessee All-SEC receiver Cedric Tillman underwent “tightrope” surgical procedure on his left ankle early final week with the hopes of not being out an prolonged time period, sources instructed ESPN.

Tillman missed the Vols’ matchup towards Florida this previous weekend after struggling a excessive ankle sprain within the group’s 63-6 win over Akron in Week 3. He had 17 catches for 246 yards in his first three video games.

The No. 8 Vols are off this week. They go to LSU on Oct. 8, after which host Alabama on Oct. 15.

Coach Josh Heupel was not requested particularly if Tillman had surgical procedure when he spoke to the media Wednesday.

“Clearly, we’re a great distance away from sport time,” Heupel mentioned of the fifth-year senior’s standing for the LSU sport. “We’re hopeful that he’ll proceed to make progress and be obtainable after we go down there.”

The tightrope surgical procedure is identical process quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had twice whereas at Alabama. It makes use of a excessive energy suture (surgical thread) as a substitute of conventional metallic screws. Technically often known as the Knotless Syndesmosis TightRope Implant System, the process is designed to speed up restoration for top ankle sprains, notably in athletes, and may lower the possibilities of long-term harm that may happen with excessive ankle sprains.

Tagavailoa had the process on his left ankle in 2018 after being injured within the SEC Championship Recreation towards Georgia. He returned 28 days later to play within the School Soccer Playoff semifinal sport towards Oklahoma, passing for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 45-34 Alabama win.

In 2019, he injured his proper ankle in a sport towards Tennessee, underwent the process and got here again three weeks later to play towards LSU, a sport by which he handed for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 46-41 loss.

Final season, Tillman grew to become Tennessee’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Justin Hunter in 2012. He elected to return for a fifth season after contemplating a leap to the NFL.

Even with out Tillman, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker handed for 349 yards and two touchdowns within the win over Florida.