Rash of injuries puzzles Tennessee coach Butch Jones

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones, center, checks on injured tight end Eli Wolf during a home game against Indiana State in September. BELOW: Darrell Taylor played with his injured right hand in a cast during the game against Indiana State. Tennessee football coach Butch Jones, center, checks on injured tight end Eli Wolf during a home game against Indiana State in September. BELOW: Darrell Taylor played with his injured right hand in a cast during the game against Indiana State.

By David Cobb November 2, 2017 4 min read

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Jones says Vols still puzzled by rash of injuries

Darrell Taylor (19) is playing with a injured right hand. The Indiana State Sycamores visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in NCAA football action of September 9, 2017.

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones, center, checks on injured tight end Eli Wolf during a home game against Indiana State in September.

Tennessee's Eli Wolf returned to the field on crutches in the second half. The Indiana State Sycamores visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in NCAA football action of September 9, 2017.

Brett Kendrick (63) joins his teammates for the Tennessee Waltz. The Ohio University Bobcats visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday September 17, 2016.

KNOXVILLE – As Tennessee’s football program waded through a flood of devastating injuries last season, coach Butch Jones noted “it’s been one of those years.”

The Volunteers are having another one in 2017.

Jones announced Tuesday that offensive lineman Brett Kendrick will be out Saturday as Tennessee (3-5) hosts Southern Mississippi (5-3) for homecoming. Kendrick exhibited concussion-like symptoms during the Volunteers’ 29-26 loss at Kentucky last week, according to at least one media report.

Kendrick will become the sixth Tennessee offensive lineman to miss a game because of injury this season, and left tackle Drew Richmond could become the seventh after Jones listed him as questionable for Saturday.

Another offensive lineman, sophomore guard Venzell Boulware, left the program earlier this season.