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Tennessee Vols: Evan Berry Should Sit Against Indiana State

By Zach Ragan

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Butch Jones of the University of Tennessee Volunteers reacts on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Butch Jones of the University of Tennessee Volunteers reacts on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols will take on Indiana State at Neyland Stadium in week two of the regular season.

Tennessee Vols head coach Butch Jones told the media on Wednesday afternoon that kick returner Evan Berry is questionable for Saturday’s game against Indiana State.

Berry is probably the best kick returner in the nation. He provides Tennessee with a spark on special teams, and he also helps provide the Vols with “hidden yards” with the yardage he gains on kick returns. He’s a player that Tennessee has to have on the field to be successful (they wouldn’t have beat Georgia last season without Berry).

But there’s no way Berry, if he’s slightly injured, should play on Saturday against Indiana State.

Look, we know that Tennessee is going to beat Indiana State. Yeah they still have to take the game seriously and prepare as if they’re playing Alabama. But we all know the Vols aren’t losing that game. And it likely won’t be close (at least it shouldn’t be). So chances are, it won’t be a big deal if Berry doesn’t play.

But you know what would be a big deal? If Berry were to get injured against Indiana State and miss the Florida game on September 16.

The Vols will need Berry against Florida. They’ll need every advantage they can get against the Gators — especially in field position.

The risk of playing Berry against Indiana State, for very little gain, is nowhere near the risk of losing him for the Florida game.

Next: How Should We Feel About Vols Moving Forward?

Plus, if Berry doesn’t play against Indiana State, it will give Micah Abernathy some valuable in-game reps as Tennessee’s primary kick returner.

Those are reps that could prove to become invaluable if something were to happen to Berry later in the season.

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