Injuries Forcing Vols to Get Creative During Spring Practice

March 23, 2015

Rick Nyman,

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee opens spring practice Tuesday with a group that bears only a passing resemblance to the squad that will take the field this fall.

Injuries and transfers have left Tennessee short-handed, particularly at running back and on the defensive line. The list of nine players missing spring practice is headlined by defensive end Derek Barnett and defensive end/linebacker Curt Maggitt, who are recovering from shoulder injuries after combining for 21 sacks last season.

Tennessee also had about a dozen players depart with eligibility remaining since the end of the 2014 regular season, with most transferring and one (defensive lineman Michael Sawyers) getting dismissed from the team. Although none were projected starters, their absences hinder Tennessee’s depth until injured players get healthy and most of the Volunteers’ heralded freshman class arrives.