KNOXVILLE - After practice Wednesday, Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt confirmed reports that senior defensive lineman Emmit Gooden suffered a torn ACL late in Tuesday's practice.
"He won't be with us this year," Pruitt said. "It's unfortunate for him and this football team, but he's a guy that has another year. He will continue to go to school and get ready to go back next spring, next fall."
The injury costs the Volunteers their most experienced returning defensive lineman, as the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder - the line's unquestioned leader - tied for second on the team with seven tackles for loss. He had 33 total tackles and a sack in 2018.
The Vols brought in four new linemen this season in recruiting, and at least two of those players - Darel Middleton and Savion Williams - will be expected to fill in for Gooden. A third, Michigan transfer Aubrey Solomon, would have the most experience of any player not named Gooden, but he has not yet been given a waiver by the NCAA that would make him eligible immediately.
The fourth, 340-pound freshman Elijah Simmons, has drawn positive reviews early on.
In addition, Greg Emerson, Kingston Harris and John Mincey will be among those expected to contribute.
Niehaus leaves
Pruitt said that offensive lineman Nathan Niehaus, who started six games at right guard in 2018, has left the team, calling it "his decision."
The 6-6, 300-pound Niehaus played in 10 games last season, and among his starts were the Vols' wins over Auburn and Kentucky, both ranked teams at the time. Tennessee passed for 328 yards against the Tigers in the 30-24 road upset and had 412 yards of total offense against Kentucky, its best mark against a Power Five opponent last season.
2020 schedule
Tennessee released its schedule for the 2020 season on Wednesday, highlighted by seven home games.
After starting the season on Sept. 5 against Charlotte and coach Will Healy - a former UT-Chattanooga assistant - the Vols go on the road to face Oklahoma on Sept. 12. Tennessee also has home games against Furman (Sept. 19), Florida (Sept. 26), Missouri (Oct. 3), Alabama (Oct. 24), Kentucky (Nov. 7) and Troy (Nov. 21).
The Vols travel to South Carolina (Oct. 10), Arkansas (Oct. 31), Georgia (Nov. 14) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 28) in Southeastern Conference play.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.