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The Tennessee vs. Florida game this upcoming weekend has massive implications.
Both teams are two of the top favorites within the SEC East. The Vols are on the cusp of evolving as a legitimate conference player, and Florida is looking for its twelfth-straight victory over Tennessee.
However, injuries have cemented themselves as the main storyline.
During his Monday press conference, UT head coach Butch Jones discussed the health of his team — namely his defense. Unfortunately for the Volunteers, they’ll be without top corner Cam Sutton, starting MLB Darrin Kirkland, and reserve ‘backer Quart’e Sapp:
#Tennessee LB Quart'e Sapp is out for the year with an ACL injury.. #Vols depth there is an issue w/ Darrin Kirkland banged up too. #UF
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 19, 2016
Vols CB/KR Cam Sutton has fractured right ankle, will miss an "extended period of time." LB Quart'e Sapp suffered ACL injury, out for year.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) September 19, 2016
Butch Jones says LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. is out for Florida, but DL LaTroy Lewis may be back for the game.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) September 19, 2016
Sapp — a redshirt freshman — saw time in both a reserve role and on special teams. Kirkland is the unquestioned heartbeat of the defense. He makes the calls at the line of scrimmage, and truly gave Tennessee a physical presence.
The loss of Sutton is arguably the biggest of all. It could be particularly felt this weekend, with Florida WR Antonio Callaway coming to town.
UT will have to rally around it’s immensely deep and talented defensive line group. A lot of times, pressure up front can help to mask issues elsewhere within any defense.
Fortunately for the Vols, not all of the news is bad:
Good news for #Vols: @UTCoachJones says OT Chance Hall will be back at practice today, and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin should be OK for Saturday.
— Ryan Callahan (@RyanCallahan247) September 19, 2016
