Tennessee’s backfield took a brutal hit after backup running back Daune Morris was reportedly ruled out for the rest of the season following an overnight car accident.
The news first surfaced through On3’s Chris Low and Austin Price, who reported Morris had been involved in the crash. CBS insider Matt Zenitz then added the bigger blow for the Volunteers: Morris, fresh off one of his best outings of the year in the win over Kentucky, will miss the remainder of the season.
Morris had just delivered a spark for Tennessee against the Wildcats, bursting loose for a 66-yard touchdown run. He finished that game with five carries for 85 yards and the score, a performance that had positioned him for an expanded role down the stretch.
Instead, his season is over. Morris had totaled 434 yards on the year for the No. 8 ranked Vols, and he had been expected to continue taking on more work as Tennessee pushed toward a possible College Football Playoff spot.
The 5-10, 200-pound back had been a dependable No. 2 option behind DeSean Bishop, who remains the centerpiece of the rushing attack after already clearing the 1,000-yard mark this season. Morris had stepped in whenever Bishop needed a breather, giving Josh Heupel a reliable change-of-pace option.
That depth will matter even more now, with Tennessee facing a tough road trip to Texas A&M and matchups with LSU and Vanderbilt still ahead. Morris, the Chattanooga product, won’t be back in action until 2027 at the earliest.
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Tennessee Suddenly Has An O-Line Problem Before Texas A&M
Tennessees offensive line took an unexpected hit Thursday night when starting left guard Nic Moore showed up on the SEC Availability Report as out after not appearing on it the day before. Moore had settled in as a productive starter at left guard, so his absence lands at an awkward time with Texas A&M next on the schedule and the Volunteers already needing stability up front.
Now the focus shifts to how Tennessee reshuffles the interior line to cover the vacancy. The staff is weighing lineup adjustments at left guard, and with a conference game looming, the next move matters for both protection and the run game as the Vols try to keep their offense on track. [Read more 🡒]
Kim Caldwell Saw Exactly What Tennessee Needed In Bounce-Back Win
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Caldwell also had to sort through the injury side of the night, with Aaliyah Moore dealing with a calf issue, even as several reserves helped steady the performance. Harissoum Coulibaly, Gabby Minus and Kaylene Smike all drew praise for their contributions, a reminder that Tennessees depth can matter just as much as its top-end talent when the schedule starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Suddenly Has A Backfield Problem Before A Huge SEC Test
Tennessees backfield took a sudden hit heading into a pivotal SEC matchup, with Daune Morris ruled out for the game against Texas A&M after suffering a leg injury in a car accident. The setback lands at a bad time for the Volunteers, who had been counting on Morris as a reliable second-string option and a useful piece in recent games.
Morris is expected to miss the rest of the season, leaving Tennessee to adjust its depth chart as the stakes rise. For a team already staring at a major test, losing a back who had become part of the weekly rotation adds another layer of pressure to an offense that now has to find answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]