Tennessee and Butch Jones Suffer through more Mounting Injuries

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Every college football team goes through their fair share of injuries but the Tennessee Volunteers have seemingly been through four years’ worth of setbacks in just six games. The team was hit with two more injuries recently losing defensive tackle Shy Tuttle for the season over the weekend and now running back John Kelly for an unknown amount of time.

Tuttle, a true freshman from North Carolina, was starting to come into his own being forced into a key contributor’s role early in the season. Playing in all six of Tennessee’s games this season, the 6’3”, 315 pound, tackle broke his fibula and suffered a torn ankle ligament in the Volunteers’ 38-31 win over Georgia on Saturday.

On Tuesday, fellow true freshman John Kelly was escorted to a local Knoxville area hospital after taking a hit in practice. Tennessee spokesperson Ryan Robinson said the visit to the hospital was a “precautionary evaluation.” Kelly was released from the hospital but no updates were given on his status. Kelly could return to practice immediately or be held out as further precaution.

Kelly has been a backup for Tennessee this year picking up 21 carries for 88 yards and has seen time on special teams. He had a big play against Georgia recovering a fumble on a kickoff that led to a Volunteers’ touchdown. Tuttle ends the season with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.

The long list of Volunteers sent to the trainer’s table for the season for an extended period of time this season includes losing both offensive guards Marcus Jackson and Austin Sanders for the season, starting safety LaDarrell McNeil missed the early part of the season with a neck injury, defensive back Rashaan Gaulden suffered a foot injury during fall camp, and cornerback Justin Martin, defensive end LaTroy Lewis, wide receiver Marquez North have missed game time due to various injuries.

Tennessee fans have been waiting for the return of senior defensive end Curt Maggit. Maggit led the team in sacks in 2014 with 11 but has missed the last four games with a hip injury.

The Volunteers (3-3, 1-2) are on a bye this week returning to action on Oct. 24 with a road trip to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama.

Photo credit: knoxnews.com; No. 2 Shy Tuttle during a Tennessee scrimmage.