Volunteers waiting for All-SEC WR Cedric Tillman to recover from 'tightrope' ankle surgery

Star wide receiver Cedric Tillman didn't play in No. 8 Tennessee's huge matchup with the Florida Gators this past weekend. When he'll be back on the field is still an open question, but ESPN is reporting that Tillman had "tightrope" surgery on his left ankle last week in order to try to avoid a long absence from the team.

Tillman suffered the high-ankle sprain in Tennessee's Week 3 win over Akron. "Obviously, we're a long way away from game time," head coach Josh Heupel told the media regarding Tillman's status for Tennesee's next game, a clash at LSU on October 8th. "We're hopeful that he will continue to make progress and be available when we go down there."

For what it's worth, Tua Tagovailoa had the same surgery at Alabama on his left ankle in 2018. He injured himself in the SEC Championship game, had the surgery, and was able to play 28 days later in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

ESPN provided more information on the surgery itself.

It uses a high-strength suture (surgical thread) instead of traditional metal screws. Technically known as the Knotless Syndesmosis TightRope Implant System, the procedure is designed to accelerate recovery for high ankle sprains, particularly in athletes, and can decrease the chances of long-term damage that can occur with high ankle sprains.

In three games so far this season, Tillman has caught 17 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.5 yards per catch. He caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Volunteers.