Former Bradley Central player, Austin Sanders (60) goes up against Allan Carson during an exhibition drill in the spring Orange and White game Saturday at Neyland Stadium in this 2014 file photo.KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee has suffered another season-ending injury on its offensive line.
Redshirt sophomore guard Austin Sanders will miss the 2015 season, head coach Butch Jones announced after Thursday's practice, with a biceps injury similar to the one Marcus Jackson suffered earlier in the preseason.
"We lost him the other day (Monday). He'll be out the entire year," Jones said. "It's really the same injury that Marcus Jackson had. It's a biceps tendon, and it just happens with body position. He extended his arm, he was in the contact phase of a block and extended his arm and his tendon went.
"He's scheduled to have surgery here very shortly. We'll monitor his academics. We love Austin and know that he'll do a great job in recovery."
Sanders appeared in five games in 2014 as a reserve guard. He missed a chunk later in the season with a minor leg injury. While Jackson sat out spring practice, Sanders took first-team reps at left guard.
The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder was a former four-star recruit and won the state's Mr. Football Lineman of the Year award with Bradley Central in 2012.
"The positive thing going in is we have recruited to have some depth at the offensive line position, but obviously it does set us back," Jones said. "But it's another individual's opportunity for some of the young freshmen to step up in terms of Chance Hall and Jack Jones and a number of individuals.
"You never recover, but that is a position where we have built some depth. It's next man in. It's another person's opportunity, and I think you see around the country ... injuries occurring every day, and it's very, very unfortunate, but it's a part of the game as well."
Tennessee tidbits
Many of the players that had been out of practice returned on Thursday afternoon, including running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara and offensive linemen Jashon Robertson, Jack Jones and Brett Kendrick
Freshmen running back John Kelly and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie were back in non-contact jerseys.
Wide receiver Marquez North and defensive backs Justin Martin and Stephen Griffin remain out.
> Redshirt sophomore Austin Sanders, the former Bradley Central High School standout, will miss the season after suffering a biceps injury, similar to the one Marcus Jackson suffered earlier in the preseason during Monday's practice.
> With the return of three players on the offensive line, Jones said the Vols hope to settle in on a starting five "by the start of next week." He wants the competitions at middle linebacker and punter to continue closer to the start of the season.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.