Keenan Pili injury update: Availability of Tennessee linebacker revealed

Tennessee is early in its battle against Florida at home, currently tied at zero in the first quarter. But bad news has struck for head coach Josh Heupel, losing one of his top defensive players for the rest of the game. Linebacker Keenan Pili has been ruled out due to an injury.

“Tennessee losing a huge veteran presence on the defensive side,” ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden said. “I’ve just been told Keenan Pili is out for the remainder of the game with a lower-body injury. I am watching him walk to the locker room right now under his own power. It’s not good news for Tennessee on the defensive side.”

Pili is one of the most experienced players in all of college football, originally being a member of the 2016 recruiting class. Five seasons were spent with the BYU Cougars before entering the NCAA transfer portal and landing with Tennessee. The linebacker is now in his second season with the Volunteers, his seventh overall.

Not many programs have a player with that much time on the field they are able to rely on. Tennessee’s defense has been one of the best this season and Pili is a huge reason why. Not having him out there against Florida is going to be a huge blow.

Tim Tebow assesses play of Tennessee since start of SEC play

Tennessee was nearly unrivaled in offensive production through the first three weeks of the season.

Averaging 63 points against non-conference opponents, that scoring total has been cut in half and then some since the Vols started SEC play. Held to 25 points against Oklahoma in a conference-opening win, Josh Heupel’s squad scored just 14 points during the loss to Arkansas in Week 6.

Ahead of their matchup against Florida at home, Tim Tebow attempted to get a pulse on the Tennessee offense. He looked toward the stat sheet for evidence that the Vols have fallen off track since SEC play began.

“This team started so hot,” Tebow said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning ahead of SEC Nation. “Non-conference, they were dominating. 639 yards per game, but in-conference, yeah, you cut that by 300. That’s not the same team that’s been playing the last few weeks, and they’re just not on the same page.”