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Emmit Gooden’s injury makes Vols’ new defensive linemen even more important

In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Tennessee defensive lineman Emmit Gooden (93) tackles Charlotte running back Benny LeMay (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn. Gooden will miss the entire season with a knee injury, leaving the Volunteers without their most experienced player on a defensive line that has no returning starters. Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt says Gooden tore his anterior cruciate ligament Tuesday, Aug. 6, and will undergo surgery next week. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Tennessee defensive lineman Emmit Gooden (93) tackles Charlotte running back Benny LeMay (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn. Gooden will miss the entire season with a knee injury, leaving the Volunteers without their most experienced player on a defensive line that has no returning starters. Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt says Gooden tore his anterior cruciate ligament Tuesday, Aug. 6, and will undergo surgery next week. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

By Gene Henley 4 min read

photo Matthew Butler (94), walking off the field with offensive lineman Riley Locklear (56) after last year’s loss to Florida, now is Tennessee’s most experienced healthy returning defensive lineman

KNOXVILLE – Tracy Rocker was locked in at practice Thursday.

At some moments during the media viewing session at Haslam field, the Tennessee defensive line coach was encouraging to his position group. At others, he was critical.

At this point he has to be both: His already difficult job just got a bit harder.

Senior Emmit Gooden’s torn ACL suffered late in Tuesday’s practice cost the Volunteers their most experienced defensive lineman. It wasn’t as though Gooden had a ton of experience – he was a reserve lineman in 2018 for the Vols, starting one game and finishing with 33 tackles, seven for loss and a sack – but he did have more than anybody else on the roster.

“It’s sad. You hate to see it,” senior receiver Brandon Johnson said Thursday. “We’re definitely praying for Emmit and his family, because you hate to see those things happen, a freak accident in practice.