A handful of Tennessee football offensive players suffered injuries in the first half against Ohio State

A handful of Tennessee football offensive players suffered injuries in the first half against Ohio State

A handful of Tennessee football offensive players suffered injuries in the first half against Ohio State
Photo via Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee football dealt with a handful of offensive injuries in the first half of its opening game in the College Football Playoff 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 more carries. Bishop threw the ball four times in the first half and Lewis twice.

More from RTI: Tennessee @ Ohio State: College Football Playoff live updates, scoring games, big moments

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 away after the game, went into the tunnel and did not return to the game. When backup Chas Nimrod entered the net 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 none of the receivers 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 matchup against the Buckeyes.

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