Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury suffered in a 22-7 win over Texas A&M, a source told Knox News on Nov. 15.
The source requested anonymity because UT has not announced Matthews’ status. Coach Josh Heupel will hold his weekly press conference at 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 16.
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Matthews is the 10th Tennessee player to suffer a season-ending injury, which appears to lead the SEC. He is UT’s leading receiver with 39 catches for 608 yards and four TDs this season.
Matthews, a junior, was considered a potential 2027 NFL Draft prospect, but this injury could complicate that. He has not announced whether he will enter the draft or return to play college football in the 2027 season. Under the NCAA’s new 5-for-5 rule, Matthews has two years of eligibility remaining.
Matthews’ absence further restrains a Tennessee offense that was already limited in the passing attack, averaging an SEC-worst 171.5 yards per game through the air. UT is trying to win its final two games of the regular season to make the College Football Playoff.
No. 9 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) plays LSU (6-4, 3-4) on Nov. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Neyland Stadium. Then it finishes the regular season at Vanderbilt on Nov. 28.
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Nine Tennessee players had previously suffered season-ending injuries in 2026: running back Daune Morris (broken leg in car wreck); starting defensive end Tyree Weathersby (knee); starting left guard Wendell Moe; starting safety Edrees Farooq (knee); starting tight end Ethan Davis (knee); safety Dylan Lewis (foot); wide receiver/kick returner Joakim Dodson (leg); linebacker Jaedon Harmon (knee); and cornerback Jadais Richard (upper-body).
How Tennessee football replaces Mike Matthews at wide receiver
Five-star freshman TK Keys is the obvious option to replace Matthews in the lineup as UT’s third wide receiver. Braylon Staley and Radarious Jackson are the other two wideouts.
Keys has seven catches for 60 yards and one touchdown. He was the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, but he’s gotten limited playing time as a freshman.
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Notably, Keys was originally committed to LSU but flipped his commitment to Tennessee in August 2025.
Tennessee can also compensate for losing Matthews by utilizing formations with two tight ends, which has been its base offense in many games this season.
How the Vols fill in for Matthews could also impact which quarterback gets the bulk of the snaps. Freshman Faizon Brandon started the first five games of the season, and he gives UT an additional running threat. Sophomore George MacIntyre has started the last five games as a pocket passer.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee WR Mike Matthews out for season with knee injury, 10th loss for Vols
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