Tennessee RB Daune Morris Likely to Miss Remainder of Season

Tennessee running back Daune Morris will miss the remainder of the 2026 season following a car accident on Thursday night, Rocky Top Insider reported.

The sophomore’s injury to his leg occurred during the late-night crash, effectively removing a key component of the Volunteers’ offensive rotation just as the team prepares for a high-stakes road matchup against Texas A&M. While Morris was initially ruled out for Saturday’s game in College Station, 247’s Matt Zenitz reported that the injury will likely cost him the rest of the year.

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. Had run for 434 yards this season for the No. 8 ranked Vols. pic.twitter.com/2SXaYv3g63

— Post by @mzenitz on X

The loss leaves the team with little depth in the backfield, a problem for a team that relies on a balanced rushing attack. Morris had established himself as a vital secondary option behind Heisman Trophy contender DeSean Bishop, providing much-needed relief and explosive potential during critical drives.

Morris’s statistical contribution this season highlights the depth Tennessee has lost. The sophomore recorded 434 rushing yards on 66 carries and scored three touchdowns, while also adding 35 receiving yards on six catches.

NEW: Tennessee RB Daune Morris was involved in a car accident Thursday and will miss the Texas A&M game with a leg injury, @AustinPriceless and @Clowfb report.https://t.co/VwkFbLeQH9 pic.twitter.com/R7F851Qbrw

— Post by @On3 on X

His ability to produce high yardage on limited touches was most evident in the recent victory over Kentucky. During that contest, Morris rushed just five times but accounted for 85 yards and a touchdown, including a 66-yard score in the first quarter.

“Seeing Daune get in there and do what he does, man, that was really good,” Vols running backs coach De’Rails Sims said on Tuesday.

“Like you could tell early on, as soon as he stuck his foot in the ground, you knew he was gone. So I think that was huge entirely for us, as a whole entire team. That was really good for him and his confidence as he’s done that. So I think, like, seeing him get out there and do what he does, that was awesome.”

The coaching staff now faces the challenge of redistributing those touches. Without Morris, the workload is expected to shift toward Javin Gordon, a sophomore transfer from Tulane. Gordon is working to reintegrate into the offense after his own injury struggles earlier this season.

Tennessee RB Daune Morris Likely to Miss Remainder of Season

The timing of the injury is particularly difficult for the Tennessee offense, which must now face a defensive front in Texas A&M without its primary relief valve. The loss of Morris, combined with the news that a starting offensive lineman is also ruled out for the Saturday game, places additional pressure on DeSean Bishop to carry the bulk of the rushing load.