KNOXVILLE – The 2016 season wasted no time in testing the depth beyond Tennessee’s two stars at linebacker.
One of those backups stepped up following Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s targeting ejection in the opener against Appalachian State, but the injury to Darrin Kirkland Jr. against Virginia Tech is more challenging for the Volunteers.
FILE — In this Sept. 10, 2016 file photo, Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. (34) is helped up after suffering an injury during a NCAA football game against Virginia Tech in Bristol, Tenn. Tennessee will be missing two defensive starters for Saturday’s game against Ohio with Kirkland and LaTroy Lewis out with injured ankles. (Michael Patrick, Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)The talented sophomore will miss Saturday’s game against Ohio with a high ankle sprain, and coach Butch Jones on Monday said Kirkland’s status beyond the visit from the Bobcats will be a “week-to-week” evaluation.
“We have some options there, and we’ll compete to see who’s going to have that starting position with Darrin being out,” Jones said. “Colton Jumper’s done a good job. We thought he gained valuable repetitions against Virginia Tech. Cortez McDowell gained valuable repetitions against App State. Quart’e Sapp has been doing some good things for us in practice.
“We’ll have some individuals gain some valuable repetitions, and then whoever has the best week of practice will play that spot.”