Jalen Hurd (1) is a running back for Tennessee. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.HOUSTON -- Tennessee will be even more shorthanded for Saturday's top-10 showdown at Texas A&M in College Station.
Star running back Jalen Hurd did not travel with the Volunteers and will not play against the Aggies due to "an undisclosed injury," program spokesman Ryan Robinson confirmed to the Times Free Press via text message on Friday afternoon.
The Vols already were going to be without cornerback Cameron Sutton (ankle) and linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) and Darrin Kirkland Jr. (ankle).
Hurd missed most of the second half of last week's win at Georgia with what Tennessee coach Butch Jones termed a "lower extremity" injury after the game.
Program sources indicated Hurd is essentially dealing with concussion-like symptoms and, after missing significant practice time this week, hadn't passed the proper medical protocols to be cleared to play on Saturday. His status moving forward remains uncertain.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Hurd has been fairly durable throughout his career, only being limited in a trio of games his freshman season.
In Hurd's absence Alvin Kamara will be Tennessee's feature back, and sophomore John Kelly, who has just three carries this season, will see the biggest opportunity of his career.
The Vols view Kamara as an every-down back despite too often failing to give him enough touches and also have confidence in Kelly despite his limited significant action.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.