ATHENS, Ga. -- Tennessee's shorthanded defense will be down a couple more players for Saturday's game at Georgia.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin was ruled out due to the shoulder injury he suffered against Ohio two weeks ago. The senior captain gave it a go last week against Florida, but he only lasted a couple of defensive series before pulling himself out of the game. Cortez McDowell is expected to start in his place.
Tennessee coach Butch Jones said earlier in the week he expected Reeves-Maybin to play against the Bulldogs, but doubt regarding his status grew during the week and he underwent further tests on his injured shoulder later in the week.
Florida's Antonio Callaway (81) makes a dive for end zone while Tennessee's Justin Martin (8) defends. Callaway was called out, but the Gators scored their first touchdown several plays later. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.Reeves-Maybin was on the field during pregame warmups but he will not dress and won't play, joining cornerback Cameron Sutton and linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. as the key absences on the defense.
Cornerback Justin Martin is suspended for Saturday's game for a violation of team rules, a program official told the Times Free Press via text message before the game.
After sitting out the Ohio game with an ankle injury, Martin started against Florida, but he was essentially benched in the first half after being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the opening kickoff and giving up two big pass plays to Gators' wide receiver Antonio Callaway.
A talented but troubled junior college transfer who last season finished his first season with the Volunteers as a starter, Martin had nine tackles in three games on the season.
Emmanuel Moseley and freshman Baylen Buchanan were already set to start at cornerback, but Martin's absence means Malik Foreman is likely Tennessee's third cornerback.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.