KNOXVILLE — Tennessee's linebacker room took a significant blow over the weekend when sophomore Jaedon Harmon tore his anterior cruciate ligament in practice and will miss the entire 2026 season, the program announced Sunday.
Harmon, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman and recorded 19 tackles and one pass deflection last season, had been expected to compete for increased playing time this fall. His injury arrives as the Volunteers begin fall camp and leaves questions about depth and rotation at a position that figures to be central to Tennessee's defensive plans.
Immediate impact on the linebacker unit
The Volunteers enter the season with several players listed at linebacker, including veterans and younger contributors. But Harmon's absence removes a young player who had experience on the field and had begun to carve out a role for 2026.
- Arion Carter — veteran starter who is suspended for the first two games of the season.
- Jeremiah Telander — returning linebacker with roster experience.
- Edwin Spillman — junior expected to take on a larger role.
- Amare Campbell — 2025 third-team All-Big Ten selection, one of the more noted names in the room.
Coaches will likely rely on that group, along with other younger players, to absorb the snaps Harmon had been expected to take during the season.
Timing compounds other absences
The timing of Harmon's injury is particularly awkward for Tennessee. The team already faces a short-term loss at the position because senior linebacker Arion Carter is suspended for the first two games of the 2026 season. The suspension stems from NCAA discipline related to a $427 flight provided by an agent during the NFL pre-draft process.
Additionally, the Volunteers are without transfer defensive back Jadais Richard for the season after he sustained an upper-body injury, further testing Tennessee's defensive depth as the schedule opens.
What Tennessee must do now
With camp underway, the staff will have to accelerate plans to identify rotations, special-teams assignments and contingency packages that compensate for Harmon's absence. The Volunteers' coaching staff has emphasized player development in recent seasons; that approach will be crucial as less experienced players are asked to step into larger roles.
| Player | 2025 highlights / status |
|---|---|
| Jaedon Harmon | Appeared in all 13 games; 19 tackles, 1 pass deflection — out for 2026 (torn ACL) |
| Arion Carter | Veteran starter — suspended for first two games (NCAA) |
| Amare Campbell | 2025 third-team All-Big Ten selection |
Outlook for the Volunteers' defense
The Volunteers' defense has pieces that can help absorb the loss, but injuries and suspensions test any roster's resilience. Tennessee's linebacking corps contains experienced players and promising younger athletes who will be counted on to fill the vacuum left by Harmon.
How well those players adapt in camp and early-season games will be a storyline to watch as the Volunteers face nonconference opponents in the opening weeks. The coaching staff must balance preparation for a season-opener with the immediate need to reconfigure personnel groupings and ensure special teams remain strong.
Next steps and timing
Tennessee returns to fall camp on Tuesday for continued preparations. The program will not have Harmon available for the year while he rehabs the injury, and the team must plan accordingly for both the short-term gap created by Carter's suspension and the longer-term loss of Harmon.
Vols fans and observers will be watching depth charts, practice reports and early-game rotations to see which players emerge to fill increased responsibilities at linebacker.
This report is based on information released by the Tennessee football program and local coverage of the team's fall camp.
