Handful of Tennessee football offensive players suffer injuries in first half against Ohio State

Tennessee football is dealing with a handful of offensive injuries in the first half of its opening round College Football Playoff game against Ohio State.

Star running back Dylan Sampson battled a hamstring injury and carried the ball just twice for six yards in the first half. Sampson was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns in the regular season.

With Sampson sidelined for most of the first half, both DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis got multiple carries. Bishop rushed the ball four times and Lewis twice in the first half.

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Slot receiver Squirrel White suffered a lower-body injury early in the second quarter after catching a 17-yard pass over the middle. He limped off after the play, went to the tunnel and did not return to the game. When backup Chas Nimrod entered the portal before the game, freshman Braylon Staley earned snaps in White’s place.

Finally, receiver Dont’e Thornton limped to the locker room after catching a 14-yard pass on Tennessee’s final drive of the first half.

The status of all three players is questionable at the time of publication. If neither receiver can go, Tennessee’s receiver room will consist of Bru McCoy, Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley.

Ohio State leads Tennessee 21-10 at halftime with the Vols receiving the ball to open the second half. Stay tuned to RockyTopInsider.com for complete coverage of Tennessee’s game against the Buckeyes.