10
Loading video...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Tennessee is riding high after its 34-6 victory over Kentucky last weekend. The Volunteers improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play with the win, and moved to No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, jumping up five spots from the week before.
They're in line to get back to the CFP, but will need a win Saturday at Texas A&M, with the Aggies sitting 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC in what's been a disappointing year for Mike Elko's squad. Unfortunately, the Vols will have to do it without one of their best offensive players, sophomore running back Daune Morris.
Morris was involved in an overnight car accident on Thursday, sustaining a leg injury, and is now set to miss the remainder of the 2026 season, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz.
Read More on NCAA
More news: NFL Draft Expert Makes Bold Claim About Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker
It's an absolute momentum killer for Tennessee. The Vols are one of the most run-heavy teams in college football, leading the SEC with 216 rushing yards per game, of which Morris is responsible for a large chunk.
He has 434 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 66 carries in nine games this season, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Morris is the top running back behind starter DeSean Bishop, an All-SEC back who already has 1,066 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on the year, both of which rank second in the conference, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
More news: Jake Dickert Makes Major Career Decision Amid Florida State Rumors
...
More news: Ole Miss Hit With Devastating Injury News Days Before Facing Oklahoma
Morris has been the Vols' most explosive option out of the backfield, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on just five carries in the win over Kentucky last weekend and going for a career-high 116 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries (8.3 yards per carry) in the Vols' 42-9 win over Kennesaw State earlier in the year.
Not having him in the rotation for the rest of the season is a significant blow for the team. Bishop will have to shoulder an even greater load, along with the help of sophomore backs Javin Gordon and Justin Baker. After Texas A&M on Saturday, Tennessee will host No. 21 LSU before closing out their regular season on the road at Vanderbilt.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines