Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden drops into coverage during the Volunteers' practice on April 9, 2015.KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee will go through its final week of spring practice without another player who likely will be a starter on defense when the 2015 season arrives.
Rising sophomore Rashaan Gaulden, who spent the past four weeks with the first-team defense at the nickel cornerback spot, is expected to miss six weeks after undergoing hand surgery earlier this week.
Gaulden is expected to return for the start of the Volunteers' summer workouts.
"He had a hand injury and he did have surgery," Tennessee coach Butch Jones said after Saturday's practice at Neyland Stadium. "It wasn't a tendon, which is great. That was positive news. We anticipate him being out about six weeks.
"If everything goes according to plan, he'll be back and be able to go through our summer strength and conditioning program."
A former four-star recruit out of the Nashville area, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Gaulden played primarily on special teams as a freshman last season, but the Vols groomed him to replace Justin Coleman this season as the inside corner in the base five-defensive back defense.
Gaulden broke his hand making a tackle on special teams during his debut against Utah State in last season's opener, but he played through the injury and practiced this spring with his right hand taped and covered with a small protective brace.
After getting him some work this spring, the Vols chose to get the injury fixed now some four months before the 2015 season opener.
"It's something he played through last year," Jones said. "I think it set back his development a little bit in the weight room, but to his credit, he played through it. He really did some good things this offseason. We were able to gain obviously valuable repetitions in spring, which he needed.
"He had a very, very productive spring for us. He's going to be a very good player for us. Love what he brings to the table, but it was good news when it wasn't tendon-oriented, so to be able have him back will help us this summer."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.