Kirkland's Tennessee football career might be finished

[Fingers]

Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.'s Tennessee football career might be finished.

Kirkland has not participated in spring practice due to lingering knee issues, and he's receiving treatment from Dr. James Andrews, a Florida orthopedic surgeon who is well known for performing elbow, shoulder and knee procedures on many high-profile athletes.

“He had a little bit of a chronic knee (issue)," Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt said during an interview with WNML on Wednesday. "He’s had a couple of surgeries on his knee. He is undergoing some treatment in Pensacola with James Andrews. It’s something that’s been done on several guys that play in the NFL, that’s really extended their careers.

"Right now, he’s doing that. We’ve talked about the rehab part of it this summer and even the possibility of him not playing next fall and just getting ready for the (2020 NFL) draft."

Darrin Kirkland Jr.'s Tennessee football career might be finished

 

[shoney]

He needs to do what's best for himself.

 

[USMC-TNVOL]

Man. How many guys have ended their career with football after injuries the last few years?

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Sad to hear, but also not surprising. It was obvious last season that Kirkland was never back to full health. Wish the best for him; with some luck, maybe he recovers and can make an NFL roster in the future. Dude was an amazing LB when at full health!

 

[butchna]

If he goes medical, that only opens up a spot on the 85...right?

 

[rdk4121]

Still a long time between now and fall. We will see, I can't imagine he would get drafted at all in 2020 if he can't even play a game this year.

 

[American_PitVol]

Man. How many guys have ended their career with football after injuries the last few years?

The rigors of playing in the SEC coupled with the pure Sh!t show of a strength and conditioning program under the previous regime is rearing its ugly head. I feel so stupid for trying to support Butch it makes me sick.

 

[TJSVOLS]

The rigors of playing in the SEC coupled with the pure Sh!t show of a strength and conditioning program under the previous regime is rearing its ugly head. I feel so stupid for trying to support Butch it makes me sick.

Same here.

 

[CA_Vol]

He needs to do what's best for himself.

Wrong. He exists for my enjoyment. Suck it up!

 

[Ten_Titans]

That's what happens when you go play SEC schedules after an off-season of meditation based strength and conditioning.

And nothing against Darrin at all. Just goes to show there are real life casualties when you put a complete chuckle **** in charge of your program for 5 years.

 

[SpookyAction]

Was Rock Gullickson incompetent too, or had the damage already been done?

 

[musolfmj]

Tired of hearing the blame game arguments/excuses. Just know he is a very smart, very talented, very orange-loving young man and I hate it for him. All the best in whatever develops for you, Darrin.

 

[VolForLife83]

This along with JJ Peterson and talks Crouch still looking like a work in progress ain't looking very pretty for us right now. On top of that, we've got a new d line

 

[give_him 6]

Hate it for the young man. Adversity builds character.

 

[XknoxvolsX]

He needs to do what's best for himself.

I agree. Regardless, he will always have knee problems for the rest of his life.

 

[kbear01]

Damn! I feel for the guy. He's been injured nearly his entire time, at UT. Just when you think he might be passed it all, this! His pro-prospects will not be good. Injury-prone LB's are a liability, in the NFL. I wish him the best. He must do what is best, for him. VFL

 

[Volgrad98]

I've given Kirkland a hard time in my criticisms of his play but I genuinely hope that he gets those knees fixed.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Wrong. He exists for my enjoyment. Suck it up!

That’s the spirit.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

I think we all knew last season that something was amiss.

Doubt he will make much of a dent now in the NFL with that bad knee but you never know he could be the next Justin Coleman too.

 

[butchna]

Was Rock Gullickson incompetent too, or had the damage already been done?

Yes

 

[strkr]

He looked a step slow last year and sure it was due to knee issues. Wish him the best however it turns out.

 

[82_VOL_83]

He needs to do what's best for himself.

IBJ's lack of conditioning program rears it's ugly head again.

 

[Grudenator]

Doesn’t sound like his career is over to me. Sounds like he is getting the treatment he needs and should have gotten a long time ago.

 

[82_VOL_83]

The rigors of playing in the SEC coupled with the pure Sh!t show of a strength and conditioning program under the previous regime is rearing its ugly head. I feel so stupid for trying to support Butch it makes me sick.

You beat me to it @American_PitVol I feel the same way.

 

[spyfish007]

You beat me to it @American_PitVol I feel the same way.

I think it is the effect of paying too early before your body develops.