Vols QB Justin Worley Out For the Year With Shoulder Injury

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head coach Butch Jones announced that senior quarterback Justin Worley will undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder and will miss the remainder of the season. The injury likely ends his Tennessee career. Worley had started the first seven games of the 2014 season before being sidelined at the end of the Ole Miss game on Oct. 18.

"Justin Worley is out for the rest of the year," Jones said at his Tuesday post-practice media availability. "He will undergo surgery, but he is still going to be around the team. And now he goes from Player Worley to Coach Worley."

Worley had started the first seven games of the season and completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,579 yards with 12 touchdowns. In his career, he played in 24 games with 17 starts. He threw for 3,556 yards and 23 touchdowns.

"I give Justin Worley all the credit in the world," Jones said of Worley’s attempt to return this season. "He tried anything and everything to rehabilitate his shoulder back. He just could not get the velocity that he needs, so he’s out for the rest of the year."

Worley continued to show great support for his teammates on the sidelines this past weekend at South Carolina, when he knew he couldn’t play in the return to his homestate.

"He was on the sideline for the game in civilian clothes and street clothing," said Jones. "He did a very good job of being there. He was at practice today. Again, he’s very, very excited about the victory. He’s a true team player and a great-character young man, as we all know, and it’s very, very unfortunate."