Tennessee OL Gilliam to miss rest of season with torn ACL

Published Sep. 2, 2014 12:51 p.m. ET

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee offensive tackle Jacob Gilliam will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament Sunday in a 38-7 victory over Utah State.

Volunteers coach Butch Jones announced the severity of Gilliam's injury at his Tuesday news conference.

Gilliam, a fifth-year senior and a former walk-on, had been placed on scholarship after spring practice and had opened the year as Tennessee's starting left tackle. Jones said junior-college transfer Dontavius Blair, redshirt freshman Brett Kendrick and freshman Coleman Thomas would compete for the open spot this week.

The injury to Gilliam creates more adversity for an offensive line that already was replacing all five of last year's starters, including Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Ja'Wuan James.

Tennessee (1-0) hosts Arkansas State (1-0) on Saturday.