KNOXVILLE — Tennessee redshirt senior tight end Austin Pope announced he underwent back surgery on July 16.
It is unclear how much time Pope will miss when fall training camp begins and the upcoming season kicks off Sept. 26. The postponement of the season and the severity of his injury could see Pope miss less contests in 2020.
The redshirt senior is a key to Tennessee’s offense as it transforms in 2020 with additional incoming speed and different looks.
Pope provides an ability for Tennessee to run 10 personnel groupings to disguise 11 looks in more shotgun sets this season.
In 11 personnel looks, Pope can be a versatile player when he returns. The senior from Christian Academy Knoxville can pass and run block, go through the motions of a rub route check-down and can also be a situational factor in the ground game carrying the ball.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end has totaled seven receptions for 85 yards in 33 games during his career at Tennessee.