Tennessee's J.P. Estrella Cleared to Play Against Missouri

Redshirt sophomore power forward has missed last two games due to left foot soreness.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 12:00am

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Tennessee basketball has announced that power forward J.P. Estrella has been removed from the SEC Availability Report and is available to play in the team's upcoming game against Missouri. Estrella has missed the last two games due to soreness in his left foot, but has been doing extensive treatment and is ready to return to the lineup.

Why it matters

Estrella's return is a big boost for Tennessee, as he has been a key contributor this season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6% from the field. The Volunteers will need Estrella's interior presence and rebounding ability as they look to solidify their position in the SEC standings.

The details

Estrella was previously listed as questionable on the pregame injury report, but Tennessee assistant coach Amorrow Morgan said the redshirt sophomore is "doing everything in his power to get back as fast as he can." Estrella has dealt with foot issues in the past, including a stress fracture that ended his sophomore season after just three games in 2024.

  • Estrella missed Tennessee's last two games due to the left foot soreness.
  • Tennessee and Missouri are scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday.

The players

J.P. Estrella

A redshirt sophomore power forward for the Tennessee Volunteers, averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season.

Amorrow Morgan

An assistant coach for the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I know he's doing everything in his power to get back as fast as he can. I know he's getting treatment right now two or three times a day. Like, he wants to be back. And we know that.”

— Amorrow Morgan, Tennessee Assistant Coach

“We need the Moose. That's what we call him. He has such strong legs. We need him back. He's such a dominant force on the offensive glass, and he adds another layer of depth and just another layer of skill.”

— Amorrow Morgan, Tennessee Assistant Coach

“I don't think there's any question it is a concern for him. Feet problems are hard to get right. … It's just some soreness set in and we just have to get it quieting down.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee and Missouri are scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, with Estrella expected to be available to play after missing the last two games.

The takeaway

Estrella's return is a critical boost for Tennessee as they look to solidify their position in the SEC standings. The Volunteers will need his interior presence and rebounding ability to help them down the stretch of the regular season.