Pruitt says cornerback Bryce Thompson has been playing through a torn pectoral muscle

Tennessee has had no shortage of injury and COVID issues since the open of fall camp. One of the main injury issues has been with Bryce Thompson, who has missed time and been limited in other spots.

The Vols’ top cornerback is currently battling through a fairly significant injury, Jeremy Pruitt announced on the SEC teleconference on Wednesday.

“Bryce, he missed the Missouri game. He is playing with a torn pec right now,” Pruitt said on Wednesday. “It is something that is kind of healing on its own, so he has missed some practice time.”

Pruitt also noted that Jaylen McCollough and Shawn Shamburger have also missed a decent amount of time, making it difficult for the secondary as a whole to settle in this year.

Thompson has 19 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery so far in 2020, playing through what has to be a painful injury. The South Carolina native actually started the season at safety against his home state Gamecocks, filling in for a limited Jaylen McCollough.

Since then, he’s settled back into his traditional role at cornerback. Obviously, this bye week came at a good time for Thompson, allowing him to rest and heal. Tennessee practiced on Monday and Tuesday and will go again today before taking a few days off.

The Volunteers head to Arkansas next weekend.