Just In: Vols Starting TE Undergoes Back Surgery

Austin Pope is known in Knoxville for his dominating play as a run-blocking tight end. The redshirt senior is often looked over — as many tight ends who focus

Austin Pope is known in Knoxville for his dominating play as a run-blocking tight end. The redshirt senior is often looked over — as many tight ends who focus on creating holes for the running backs are — but he started in 11 and played in all 13 of the Vols’ match-ups last season, contributing to Eric Gray’s breakout performances against Vanderbilt and Indiana.

Throughout Pope’s career he has had issues with his back, specifically with herniated discs, causing the veteran tight end to miss some time on the field. He was forced to have surgery to repair a disk two years ago, and today he announced that he had herniated another disk after having an MRI on Monday. The rising redshirt senior underwent surgery this morning, and issued a statement to Vol Fans through Twitter.

Tough times don’t last, tough people do. pic.twitter.com/2ixcqeJYYo

— Austin Pope (@Austin_Pope31) July 16, 2020

“Sometimes life doesn’t always go the way we plan it,” Pope wrote on Thursday evening. “I’ve had hard times and challenges throughout my life, so this is nothing new to me. I recently have been dealing with a lot of nerve pain from my lower back. I went to get an MRI on Monday morning and the results were not what I expected.”

“(The Doctor) told me I herniated another disc in my back, this time being at L3L4,” Pope continued. “I’ve been very down and disappointed because I already had back surgery two years ago for a different disc. I had surgery this morning and would really appreciate any support in these tough times.”

“I love this game, my teammates, and my coaches and I will do anything to help this program succeed,” Pope concluded. “Prayers would be appreciated. Minor setback for a major comeback.”

The injury will force redshirt freshman Jackson Lowe into the spotlight to take over for Pope at the tight end position. The 6’4’’ 245-pound Georgia native was viewed as a highly rated recruit coming out of high school; having earned offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, and others throughout his recruitment. Sean Brown, who is also a redshirt freshman, could join Lowe in seeing an increase in playing time due to the loss of Pope.

Tennessee’s new tight end coach Joe Osovet will have until September 5th — when Tennessee is scheduled to face-off against the Charlotte 49ers — to plan his changes for the position, as the Vols look to take a major step forward in year three of the Jeremy Pruitt Era.