KNOXVILLE - If Tennessee is going to correct its offensive woes this week, it will have to do so without its most potent weapon.
Tennessee coach Butch Jones announced Wednesday that junior running back John Kelly will be suspended for a game following news that Kelly and freshman linebacker Will Ignont were cited for drug-related offenses during a Tuesday night traffic stop.
Ignont also will be suspended when the Volunteers (3-4, 0-4 SEC) play at Kentucky (5-2, 2-2) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Kelly was pulled over at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and 11th Street on Tuesday for having a headlight out. An officer noticed the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, according to information provided to the Times Free Press by the Knoxville Police Department.
The officer searched the car and found 4.6 grams of marijuana. Kelly was charged with misdemeanor possession. He also was cited for having a missing headlight and no proof of insurance. Ignont, who was Kelly's passenger, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
"Members of our football team have a responsibility to represent the University of Tennessee in a first-class manner," Jones said in a statement. "I met with John and Will and they understand their actions were unacceptable."
It's the latest disciplinary issue Jones has been forced to address in a season filled with struggles on the field.
Nickel back Rashaan Gaulden raised both his middle fingers toward the Alabama student section after Tennessee's lone touchdown in a 45-7 loss to the Crimson Tide last week. Gaulden apologized after the game.
Jones said Wednesday that there have been "criteria" Gaulden had to meet in practice this week. But, Jones said, the junior will play against Kentucky.
"You heard from him after the game," Jones said. "As we all know, that's unacceptable in our football program. He'll be the first to tell you that."
Gaulden is arguably Tennessee's best defensive player, and Kelly is the team's emotional leader. Kelly has rushed for 615 yards and six touchdowns this year. Kelly also leads the team with 26 receptions and has embraced a leadership role.
After practice Monday, he called Tennessee's running backs and offensive linemen together to talk about the need to protect redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. Tennessee hasn't scored an offensive touchdown since a win over Massachusetts on Sept. 23, and the Vols are on a three-game losing streak that has brought Jones' job security into question.
"You hurt because it's all about raising young men," Jones said in an interview on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville on Wednesday after announcing the suspensions. "Again, you have a high standard by which you abide by each and every day. Like I said before, we will never ever compromise those standards."
Kelly's suspension shifts the running back duties against Kentucky to a trio of young players who have played sparingly this season. Freshman Ty Chandler has run 27 times for 118 yards while sophomore Carlin Fils-aime and freshman Tim Jordan have had 11 and seven carries, respectively.
"We're excited to see Ty Chandler," Jones said on 104.5 The Zone. "I think this is a tremendous opportunity for him. We spoke about having to get the ball in his hands a little bit more. Now the true freshman from MBA has a tremendous opportunity ahead of him along with Carlin Fils-aime and Tim Jordan."
Jones also faces a decision over whether to fully reinstate redshirt sophomore defensive end Darrell Taylor to the team. Taylor has been suspended for the last two games after reportedly stepping on freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith's face during a bye-week practice earlier this month. Taylor was a limited participant in practice Tuesday, Jones said.
"I would say that it's still day-to-day with him," Jones said Wednesday of Taylor. "But as of right now, he's still suspended."
Lifting Taylor's suspension would bolster Tennessee's deficient depth at defensive end, where Jonathan Kongbo and Kyle Phillips played nearly every snap in losses to South Carolina and Georgia.
The incident involving Kelly and Ignont resembles a similar instance involving injured junior receiver Jauan Jennings that occurred in January. Jennings was charged with marijuana possession during a traffic stop in January. The case was dismissed after he paid court costs and underwent an alcohol and drug assessment. Jennings did not miss any game action because of the incident. But that situation occurred in the offseason.
A Gallup poll released Wednesday found that 64 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, the highest level of public support Gallup has found for the proposal in nearly a half-century of measurement.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.