Tennessee’s starting guard Sham Umarov, nickelback/punt returner Qua Moss, and running back Javin Gordon are all out for today’s game against Auburn. This isn’t just a couple of guys dinged up. This news dropped on the final SEC student-athlete availability report, just 90 minutes before kickoff at Neyland Stadium, and it paints a seriously grim picture for the No. 17 Vols.
The Latest Blows Hit Hard
Umarov’s injury came in that tough 20-17 loss to Texas on September 26. Losing a starting guard, man, that’s a huge blow to the offensive line and protecting the quarterback. Moss’s situation from the same Texas game is even wilder. He apparently took a knee to the head while tackling quarterback Arch Manning in the fourth quarter. What’s absolutely gutting is that earlier in that same game, he returned a punt for a touchdown. Dude’s a playmaker, and now he’s sidelined.
Then there’s Javin Gordon, the Tulane transfer running back, who is going to miss his third straight game. That’s a huge hit to the backfield depth when you’re trying to establish a run game. And don’t forget freshman defensive lineman Kedric Golston, who was already on the initial availability report back on September 30. That’s four key guys sidelined just for *this* game.
The Season-Long Nightmare Just Keeps Growing
This isn’t even the half of it. What’s truly shocking and frankly, absolutely brutal, is the seven , yeah, SEVEN , Tennessee players who have already suffered season-ending injuries. We’re talking about crucial starters and key depth pieces getting wiped out. Starting left guard Wendell Moe is done. Starting safety Edrees Farooq is out with a knee injury. Starting tight end Ethan Davis, another knee issue that ends his year.
Then there’s safety Dylan Lewis with a foot injury, wide receiver/kick returner Joakim Dodson with a leg injury, linebacker Jaedon Harmon with a knee injury, and cornerback Jadais Richard with an upper-body injury. That’s a brutal list of talent. Losing seven guys for the season this early in October is absolutely crushing for any program, especially one trying to stay ranked at No. 17 and compete in the SEC.
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) is facing Auburn (3-1, 1-1) today at 3:30 p.m. ET, and with this latest injury report, you gotta wonder how they’re going to piece things together against another tough SEC opponent. They’re already 0-1 in the conference, and the depth chart is getting absolutely decimated. Every player left healthy better be ready to step up, because it’s going to be a grinder in Knoxville.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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