Tennessee's INJURY Situation Is Starting to Get Very Concerning...

Tennessee football is less than a month away from the start of the 2026 season, but the Volunteers are already dealing with several injuries and availability concerns during fall camp. How worried should Tennessee fans be? On this episode of the A to Z Sports Big Orange Podcast, Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down the latest Tennessee football injury news, including the season-ending ACL injury suffered by linebacker Jaeden Harmon, the ongoing absence of defensive back Jadais Richard, Ty Redmond's illness, and the precautionary absence of tight end Ethan Davis. The guys discuss what these injuries mean for Tennessee's depth chart and whether the Vols have enough depth to absorb the losses before the regular season begins. Jaeden Harmon's injury is particularly noteworthy because, while he wasn't expected to be a starting linebacker, he was projected to be an important depth piece and special teams contributor for Tennessee. With Arion Carter suspended for the first two games, Harmon's season-ending injury puts even more pressure on Tennessee's linebacker depth early in the 2026 season. Fortunately for Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, linebacker may be the deepest position on the Tennessee defense. Charlie and Zach discuss the players who could see increased opportunities because of Harmon's injury, including Brayden Rouse, T.J. White and Jadon Perlotte. The hosts also examine how Jim Knowles could move Tennessee's talented linebackers around in different packages, including Arion Carter potentially seeing more snaps on the edge. With Amare Campbell, Edwin Spillman, Carter and Telander among the key pieces, Tennessee has plenty of talent—but Knowles now has to figure out how to get those players on the field without creating problems in coverage or limiting the pass rush. The podcast also examines the importance of Ty Redmond's health entering the season. Redmond is a young but experienced player who is expected to have an important role in Tennessee's secondary, and missing valuable fall camp practices could be significant, particularly as the Vols prepare to install a new defensive system. The first scrimmage of fall camp becomes especially important because it provides coaches with some of the closest thing to live-game reps before Tennessee opens the season. Charlie and Zach also discuss Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis, his current precautionary absence, and why getting him healthy and improving his blocking could be important for the Volunteers' offense. The conversation expands into the importance of practicing consistently during fall camp and how missed practice time can potentially contribute to tackling, physicality and execution problems later in the season. Finally, the guys discuss one of the biggest behind-the-scenes changes for Tennessee football: the hiring of Derek Owings as the Volunteers' new strength and conditioning coach. Owings came to Tennessee from Indiana after playing an important role in the Hoosiers' remarkable season, and the hosts debate whether the hire could eventually prove to be one of the most important moves of Josh Heupel's tenure. Early signs—including the physical development of Tennessee's players—have Charlie and Zach optimistic about what Owens and the new strength staff can bring to Knoxville. With Tennessee's first scrimmage approaching, the biggest priority is simple: stay healthy. The Vols have plenty of talent and depth, but another wave of injuries could quickly change the equation before the 2026 season even begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices