By Jimmy Hyams
Tennessee junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. suffered a knee injury Friday and is expected to miss up to six weeks, sources said.
Kirkland will have more tests done but initial reports are that he suffered a torn or partially torn meniscus, sources said.
The return from such an injury varies depending on the severity of the tear, the procedure to repair it and the swelling in the knee.
Sources said Kirkland is “definitely’’ out for the Georgia Tech opener Sept. 4 but could return soon thereafter, depending on the degree of the injury.
Kirkland missed 5 games last year with a high ankle sprain suffered Sept. 10 against Virginia Tech.
Kirkland made Freshman All-SEC in 2015 with 10 starts and made 66 tackles – 4th best by UT freshman in school history.
Kirkland is arguably the most valuable player on UT’s defense, manning the middle linebacker spot. His presence will be especially missed going against the triple option of Georgia Tech.
Kirkland, who is from Indianapolis, Ind., has a photographic memory and excels at making sure everyone along the front seven is aligned properly.
With Kirkland out, Tennessee will turn to either senior Colton Jumper, a former walk-on, or sophomore Daniel Bituli. Jumper had 61 tackles in seven starts last season. Bituli had nine stops in nine games last season, playing mostly on special teams.
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that started it all
