JP Estrella is out with a left foot injury for Tennessee basketball against Austin Peay on Sunday.
The Vols’ second-year forward has been dealing with a nagging foot injury throughout the offseason and has been dealing with it every day. He played despite an ankle injury UT’s season-opening win over Gardner-Webb. Estrella scored a career-high eight points against Montana on Wednesday. He averages 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game.
No. 9 Tennessee (3-0) likely has nine scholarship players available against the Govs (3-0) at Thompson-Boling Arena at the Food City Center. Upper Guard Darlinstone Dubar missed the last three games due to a personal matter and is slowly returning to action.
Sophomore forward Cade Phillips will contribute at No. 5 behind starter Felix Okpara with Estrella sidelined.
JP Estrella injury update: Vols fall due to foot injury
Estrella averaged 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds as a freshman last season. He impressed against Purdue and 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey in UT’s season-ending loss in the Elite Eight. Estrella played a season-high 15 minutes against the Boilermakers, surpassing his previous high of 12 against Norfolk State on January 2. He scored a game-high seven points twice, including against Florida on January 16.
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Tennessee travels to the Bahamas to play in the Baha Mar Championship starting against Virginia on Thursday. It will face either Baylor or St. John’s on Friday in its second game of the tournament.
This story will be updated.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him onByMikeWilson or blue sky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you like Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription this will allow you to access all of this.
This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: JP Estrella injury update: Tennessee forward out against Austin Peay
