Tennessee Big Man Dodges Major Injury Setback

Image: Drew Garrison/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

We can all breathe a huge sigh of relief. 

According to Ryan Schumpert of RockyTopInsider, Tennessee forward JP Estrella has been diagnosed with a bone bruise, a far better outcome than initially feared when the redshirt sophomore returned to the bench with an ice pack on his left knee and a towel over his head against Rice on Monday.

While there’s no clear timeline for his return, the injury is not expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Estrella has been Tennessee’s top forward through the first stretch of the year, averaging 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.

The Scarborough, Maine native raised his career-high in scoring in each of Tennessee’s first three games, including a 23-point, 10-rebound performance against North Florida.

His early-season production has helped lead Tennessee's frontcourt, and the Vols will hope for a quick recovery as SEC play approaches.