Vols LB Curt Maggitt Could Miss Entire 2013 Season

Oct 20, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Justin Coleman (27) and linebacker Curt Maggitt (56) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

After months of saying that Vols LB Curt Maggitt was close to returning to action, Butch Jones said the inevitable on Tuesday — Maggitt will likely miss the entire 2013 season.

"Right now I don’t anticipating him playing. I always think of the worst case scenario, we are not expecting him to play this year. If he doesn’t he will redshirt and we will move on. If he is ready to go and based on where we are at in the season we will make the determination. Right now I am not expecting him to play."

Maggitt tore his ACL last November in the Vols’ loss to Missouri.

If the Florida native does indeed miss the rest of the season, it’ll leave him with two years of eligibility remaining.

While you hate to see a recovery take so long, this is probably the best case scenario for the Vols.

Especially with the chance that LB AJ Johnson could declare for the NFL after this season.

Johnson is currently projected a late first round/early second round pick. It’s hard to imagine him passing on the draft to stay for his senior season.

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