Tennessee Vols receiver Josh Smith has sprained shoulder, not collarbone injury

The prognosis was better Thursday regarding Josh Smith's injury.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones said the senior receiver has a sprained AC joint in his shoulder rather than something more severe. Jones said on Monday that Smith had a collarbone injury.  

"We don't know a timetable," Jones said of Smith's return. "It could be a week. It could be two weeks. It could be four weeks. Very, very positive (news). I know Josh is working extremely hard. We expect to get him back very soon."  

Tennessee opens against Georgia Tech on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.

Smith, who was an all-state honoree at Christian Academy of Knoxville, has been affected by injuries throughout his UT career. He received a medical redshirt in 2014 after suffering a season-ending ankle injury against Oklahoma on Sept. 13 of that season. He missed spring practice this year after undergoing hernia surgery.

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The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Smith has played in 25 games the past two seasons with 13 starts. Last season, he had 13 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.

"Unfortunately he's suffered some injuries," Jones said following UT's practice at Haslam Field. "So to be able to get that news was obviously very exciting for him."

In other news, Jones said Emmanuel Moseley was back to full contact. The senior cornerback had been wearing a green non-contact jersey.

"That really helped," Jones said, "getting him live tackling reps that he needs to have confidence going into the opening game."

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Fellow cornerback Shaq Wiggins remains sidelined with a hip injury, Jones said. He said Wiggins was expected back either later this week or early next week.

Offensive tackle Drew Richmond missed practice because of illness, Jones said.