Tennessee Football: Report Says Vols Assistant Coach Pushed Kendrick To Play Through Injury

The Tennessee football program could be in a lot of trouble.

According to a report from Clay Travis, Tennessee Vols offensive line coach Walt Wells pushed Brett Kendrick to play through an injury, because of the Volunteers’ lack of depth along the offensive line.

Here’s is the damning part of the report from Travis:

"At halftime other linemen recognized that Kendrick was woozy, but Kendrick didn’t want to let his team down and didn’t approach trainers to notify them of his injury. That was because offensive line coach Walt Wells, who multiple sources believe had to know Kendrick was concussed, repeatedly exhorted Kendrick, “We need you to go!” and pointed out that Kendrick’s back up had not made the trip to Lexington.According to Outkick sources at no point was Kendrick given a concussion test on the sideline by trainers because players have been told that medical staff only conduct these tests at Tennessee when players notify doctors and trainers of their potential injury. Otherwise the assumption is a player is healthy enough to play.After the game, Kendrick didn’t know the score and his visible appearance was so bad that athletic director John Currie approached him and said he didn’t look good."

Travis also reported that Tennessee is currently conducting an internal investigation after Kendrick’s family approached athletic director John Currie with concerns.

Butch Jones denied any knowledge of Kendrick’s injury according to Travis (according to Travis, Kendrick still hasn’t passed through concussion protocol).

There are already lingering questions about Jones’ job status. At this point, I have no idea how Tennessee is continuing to trot him out on the sidelines — especially if the health of his players is being put in jeopardy.

I’m assuming that Currie is working hard to get Jones out of Knoxville without having to pay him a massive buyout. I’m not sure if this circumstance will make that possible. In this particular situation, it’s very easy for Jones to deflect any blame. It would incredibly difficult to prove what Jones knew and when.

However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Jones and Currie agree to lower the buyout, and then Jones falls on the sword for Walt Wells and resigns. This would allow Jones to basically be a martyr and tell the media that everything in the football program “falls on him”.

At that point it’s a win-win for everyone….except Brett Kendrick.

It’s important to remember that regardless of who was at fault, Kendrick’s health was put in serious jeopardy when he played two quarters of football after he likely suffered a concussion.

Hopefully Kendrick makes a full recovery and doesn’t suffer any longterm effects.