KNOXVILLE — Tennessee will be down a few players due to injury when it begins spring football practice next month.
During the news conference to introduce new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord on Friday, coach Butch Jones updated the list of players the Volunteers will be without for the upcoming practices.
In addition to freshman defensive end Kyle Phillips (shoulder) and freshman linebacker Darrin Kirkland (torn pectoral muscle), defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder), defensive tackle Danny O’Brien (undisclosed), receiver Jason Croom (knee) and possibly tight end Alex Ellis (undisclosed) will be out for spring practices.
“It’s going to be a challenge this spring football,” Jones said. “We have many individuals who will be rehabbing injuries, but we all fully anticipate them being ready for August camp.”
Barnett, an All-SEC freshman team selection, and O’Brien are both returning starters on the defensive line, while Phillips and Kirkland were potential immediate-impact players who will see their developments slowed after enrolling early.
“As you can see, we’re very, very limited, especially in the defensive front,” Jones said.
“For the development of our football team, that’s going to be a great challenge because it affects the offense and our ability to continue to develop our offensive line.
“We have to be creative in our practice structure and how we develop this football team moving forward.”
Jones also said tailback Jalen Hurd, receiver Marquez North, freshman offensive lineman Chance Hall, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Charles Mosley, linebacker Dillon Bates, defensive end Corey Vereen and defensive back Rashaan Gaulden could be limited in spring drills following offseason surgeries.
“We anticipate them going through spring practice,” Jones added, “but they’ll be limited in some aspect or another.”
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com