Tennessee’s backfield took another hit Thursday night, with running back Daune Morris set to miss Saturday’s game against Texas A&M after a car accident left him with a leg injury.
On3 first reported the news, and CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz added that Morris could be out for the rest of the season.
It’s a tough break for a player who had been giving the Vols real production this fall. Morris made one of the biggest plays in last week’s win over then-No.
6 Kentucky, ripping off a 66-yard touchdown run to put Tennessee ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. He finished that game with 85 yards on just five carries.
“It felt good,” Morris said after the game. “Just being able to be the engine in that first drive, or whichever drive that we have to be the engine. It always feels good to be able to pop it off and start it for the offense and give the energy to the offense.”
Running backs coach De’Rail Sims pointed to that run during Tuesday’s availability.
“Seeing Daune get in there and do what he does, man, that was really good,” Sims said. “Like you could tell early on, as soon as he stuck his foot in the ground, you knew he was gone.
So I think that was huge entirely for us. As a whole entire team, that was really good for him and his confidence as he done that.
So I think seeing him get out there and do what he does, that was awesome.”
For the season, Morris ranks second on the team with 434 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 66 carries. He also had earlier standout outings with 98 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Tech and 116 yards and a touchdown against Kennesaw State.
His role had stretched beyond the box score, too. After his production dipped for a stretch, Morris still stayed in a good place mentally and helped Tennessee in other ways, including blocking and giving DeSean Bishop a breather on important drives.
Now, with Saturday’s trip to Texas A&M on the schedule, Morris is officially out, and his status for the rest of the season remains uncertain. Updates will be provided when available.
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