Tennessee will be without running back Javin Gordon against Texas this afternoon, according to a report from Pete Thamel.
Gordon, who also missed all of the Vols’ win over Kennesaw State last week, is still working through a leg injury. The sophomore transfer from Tulane has appeared in two games for Tennessee so far, against Furman and at Georgia Tech, and has totaled 20 carries for 79 yards. He has not scored yet, and he has one catch for 18 yards.
The good news for Tennessee is that the rest of the backfield looks healthier. DeSean Bishop, the team’s starting running back, was not listed on the availability report after leaving last week’s win with an injury, which points to him being available against Texas. Bishop is also set to serve as a game captain, along with Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and Bennett Brady.
Backup Justin Baker is available too after being held out against Kennesaw State and previously exiting the win at Georgia Tech while contributing on special teams.
Gordon arrived at Tennessee after transferring from Tulane, where he played in all 14 games last season, including the College Football Playoffs loss to Ole Miss. He started six games and posted a PFF grade of 72.7.
During the preseason, Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims praised Gordon’s ceiling and versatility. “You look at it, he’s a guy that goes out there and plays early as a freshman, a true freshman in college, on a playoff-caliber team, and he did a really good job of starting five games in that season,” UT running backs coach De’Rail Sims said during the preseason. “He was productive from that standpoint, but you see a guy that has a really high ceiling that is not maxed out from that standpoint.
“You saw the pass-catching ability out of the backfield, the pass protection ability, the running the football ability, as well. Feeling like from a character standpoint, he was a really good fit that would fit into that room, and he’s done that.”
Tennessee and Texas are set for a noon ET kickoff on ABC.
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