The breaking news that Tennessee running back Daune Morris is out for the season still feels like a bad dream. Following an overnight car accident, the tailback is indeed done for the year, leaving a bit of a hole/worry for the rushing attack behind DeSean Bishop. So, who is going to be asked to step up now that Morris won't be back until 2027 at the earliest?
There are now going to be plenty of eyes on sophomore running back Javin Gordon, who has seen his fair share of work this campaign. Bishop, already north of 1,000 rushing yards on the season, is still going to be the focal point, there is no denying that.
However, he can't be expected to carry the ball 30-to-40 times per game against Texas A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt. This is where Gordon can help. With Morris sidelined, it is not out of this world to assume Gordon could get 5-to-10 carries a game moving forward.
Tennessee running back Daune Morris is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury that he sustained in an overnight car accident, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 13, 2026
Had run for 434 yards this season for the No. 8 ranked Vols. pic.twitter.com/2SXaYv3g63
The Daune Morris injury is back-breaking, but Tennessee has RB depth to help out
On the year, Gordon, a 5-foot-10, 212-pounder, has recorded 28 carries for 129 yards. In the win over Kentucky, he ran the ball twice for nine yards, but in the heartbreaking loss to South Carolina, he had six carries and 41 yards to his name. It is clear that Josh Heupel trusts him with the ball in his hands, but it remains to be seen just how much work he will get moving forward.
Behind Gordon, Tennessee could also look to get both Justin Baker and Hunter Barnes more involved, but the expectation is that Gordon will be the one asked to take his game to the next level. If only 5-star running back commit David Gabriel Georges was already in Knoxville, then he could form a 1-2 punch with Bishop.
Alas, Gabriel Georges is still at the Baylor School, and he will not make things official with Tennessee until the Early Signing Period arrives in December. Until then, Gordon, Baker, and Barnes will be the ones who will need to provide Bishop some needed relief with three games left in the regular season, and then (hopefully) the College Football Playoff to follow.
There is really no sugarcoating the Morris injury news, though, as it is a massive blow for the offense. According to Tennessee beat writer Austin Price, Morris suffered a broken leg in his unfortunate car accident, which will require surgery. Morris was also cited for reckless driving by the Knoxville Police Department.
As for this upcoming weekend, the clash against Texas A&M just got a bit more complicated for Heupel. Tennessee will enter that matchup favored by only two points, as the Aggies have an upset in mind.
Per usual, the rushing attack will have to carry the way for the Vols. Another big game should be on the way for Bishop, but Gordon is going to have to be more ready than ever for Heupel to put him in a spot to help this team record a win, too.
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