GoVols247 is reporting, based on multiple sources, that Tennessee middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. suffered a knee injury during practice on Friday. SEC Country cites a source in saying further that the injury is a torn meniscus, although the chatter is that nobody will know until further tests can be done. Officials are mum on the matter.

This is a huge blow to the team and could border on catastrophic depending on how long Kirkland will be out. We put Kirkland first on our list of Vols defensive players who had to remain healthy earlier this month, along with Cortez McDowell, because he was one the team’s two best linebackers on a defense that desperately needed improved performance from the position. The unit and the defensive will miss Kirkland’s leadership, talent, and intelligence, and although there are still some other good guys available, the linebacking corps did not do so well last season when Kirkland wasn’t on the field and at full speed.

While Kirkland is out, expect Colton Jumper to fill in, with sophomore Daniel Bituli and freshman Will Ignont also on standby, although Bituli has had his own injury issues recently. It looks like the best case scenario right now is for news that Kirkland’s injury is not as bad as feared and that he can somehow return at full strength against Florida, meaning the impact of the injury would make the team more vulnerable to Georgia Tech, but probably nothing more.

If he is instead out for Florida and beyond, it could spell trouble and cause flashbacks for players, coaches, and fans, as the crumbling of the defense last year also seemed to begin at the linebacker position. But we’ll just have to wait and see.

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Sam Hensley
Sam Hensley
7 years ago

Well… this looks like really horrible news. Flashbacks, indeed.

Andrew Cooper
Andrew Cooper
7 years ago

This really depends on what kind of tear it is and what treatment they choose. My father had a torn meniscus in his shoulder. He didn’t have surgery. They gave him a cortisone shot in his shoulder and he felt like new. He wasn’t and the doctors told him not to stress the joint for a good long while. This was the best treatment but it was quite some time before the joint was healed. His other option was surgical repair which involved cutting down the torn part of the meniscus. Recovery from that was 4 weeks or so but… Read more »

Andrew Cooper
Andrew Cooper
7 years ago

Also, at this point I wouldn’t play Kirkland for Tech or Indiana State regardless. No sense putting him at risk for games that don’t count in the SEC.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

What’s the status of Quarte Sapp? I know last season he was really progressing and was expected to be a huge contributor before his injury. I haven’t heard much about him this off season. Is he healthy and if so, is he an option to fill in for Kirkland? I know McDowell was playing very well last season before he was injured as well. While I appreciate what Colton Jumper has done in his time on Rocky Top, I hope he is not the only solution to this as I don’t believe he has enough upside to really soften the… Read more »

Will Shelton
Admin
Will Shelton
7 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Not sure on Sapp, may still be working his way back. I’m curious to see what the configuration is if Georgia Tech requires us to play more 4-3, but I’d look for Daniel Bituli to be part of the solution. And while Jumper probably isn’t your first option if you’re playing say Texas A&M, he was excellent against Florida and solid against Georgia last year; he doesn’t have Kirkland’s potential, but my hope would be the drop off isn’t as steep when playing Georgia Tech.

Oleg Zeltser
Oleg Zeltser
7 years ago

He missed half the season last year so the Vols have experience playing without him. If the D line steps up and played to their potential I think the LB’s will be fine