Today On Rocky Top: Injuries Mounting For Vols Defensive Line

Sep 8, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Maurice Couch (44) tries to tackle Georgia State Panthers tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi (88) during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From Go Vols Xtra

"Three weeks before opening night, Tennessee’s defensive line depth is getting tested.Senior defensive tackle Mo Couch is out due to a calf muscle strain in his right leg, the third Vol defensive lineman bitten by the injury bug.The Vols already know ends Jacques Smith (wrist) and Corey Vereen (knee) probably won’t be available for the Aug. 31 opener against Austin Peay and possibly beyond.Couch, one of the Vols’ more experienced tackles, is listed day to day, according to head coach Butch Jones. Couch, in fact, appeared to make progress from Saturday morning’s practice, when he was on crutches, to the evening scrimmage, when he was off crutches and walking fairly easily in a protective boot."

From CBS Sports

"One of the standouts of Tennessee ‘s spring game may have to wait longer than expected to make his Volunteer debut — and his absence may be felt more than expected if he does.Per the Associated Press, Butch Jones confirmed Friday that true freshman defensive end Corey Vereen will miss at least five weeks after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Vereen underwent surgery Thursday."

From WBIR

"It’s been 15 years since the Vols won the national title.The squad was loaded with future NFL players on both sides of the ball. Not the case with this year’s Vols, and Butch Jones knows it.Jones is well aware he has to develop a young team while rebuilding the Tennessee program to the measuring stick that is ’98 championship squad, or even to the 2007 team that played in the SEC title game.Butch knows this team isn’t loaded wtih talent, but he’s also not going to allow his players to use that as an excuse."

From the Times Free Press

"For the past two seasons, Eric Gordon would come on the field when Tennessee decided it needed its nickel package with an extra defensive back.That spot is now up for grabs.And though JaRon Toney, a four-game starter in 2012 who registered a pair of double-digit tackle games, is the only player on the Volunteers’ roster with experience playing the specialized nickelback position, the former walk-on hardly assumes it’s his to lose."

For more on the Vols make sure to follow along on Twitter @AllforTennessee