New report pours cold water on popular conspiracy theory involving the Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols beat the Oklahoma Sooners on the road this past weekend despite a key player missing the game.

Sophomore left tackle Lance Heard, who transferred from LSU to UT during the offseason, was expected to suit up for the Vols against the Sooners after missing Tennessee's win against Kent State the previous week due to an ankle injury.

VolQuest's Austin Price, in fact, told 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will last week that Heard would be "fine" for the game against Oklahoma.

"Lance Heard, I was told, last week could've played against Kent State," said Price . "But there was no reason to (play Heard), not when he kinda dinged up his ankle a little bit. Nothing high, it was a low deal. Low ankle."

"It was treat, treat, treat between NC State and Oklahoma," added Price. "He'll be fine. Again, could've played last week, but there was no reason to put him in a weird spot."

Price, who has been one of the top Tennessee football insiders for well over a decade, didn't have bad information -- it was quite a surprise to everyone when Heard didn't make the trip to Norman.

Heard's surprise absence immediately led to speculation that there were some NIL issues with the former LSU offensive lineman.

But according to Off the Hook's Dave Hooker , there are no NIL issues with Heard.

"One well-placed source at Tennessee told Off The Hook Sports that was not the case and that financial terms are taken care of way before any player hits the field in preseason camp," wrote Hooker on Thursday.

Tennessee has mostly avoided NIL drama -- at least publicly -- under Josh Heupel. And while Heard's situation (expected to play and then not making the trip) was certainly odd, it's not completely unheard of (no pun intended). Ankle injuries can be tricky at times. We've seen it plenty in college football in recent years.

Heupel said on Wednesday that he expects to have Heard for the Vols' matchup against Arkansas on October 5 (Tennessee is off this weekend).

Tennessee is 4-0 and Heard should be healthy for the rest of the season. The Vols are in a good spot despite the former five-star recruit not playing against the Sooners. Not everything has to be a conspiracy.

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