"Sources: Tennessee back-up tailbackJavin Gordon(leg) is out for the game against No. 1Texas,"Thamel announced on social media. "He also didn't play last week against Kennesaw (State). Tennessee starting defensive linemanNathan Robinson(undisclosed) is a game-time decision. He'll warm-up and be evaluated to see if he can play. Robinson started Tennessee's first two games. Gordon has 20 carries for 79 yards this year."
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The 5-foot-10, 212-pound running back has recorded 79 rushing yards on 20 attempts, while totaling one reception for 18 yards against Furman andGeorgia Tech.
Tennessee running backs coachDe'Rail Simsdiscussed Gordon on Sept. 15 after two games this season.
"I'm going to be honest, with him right now, you go back, his improvement from game one to game two was good,"Sims said. "He did a really good job of being physical in the run game, of being in there. There were some muddy pictures in there that he did a really good job of banging in there and driving for extra yardage. There were a couple of runs in there that could have been better. The only thing that happened is he stepped on somebody's foot, tripped up inside the hole, that type deal, so he's doing a good job.
Johnny Majors when playing for Tennessee in the 1950s.
(News Sentinel Photo Archive, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee running back Johnnie Jones (33) waits for a block from Todd Upton (70) and another teammates on Florida defender Alonzo Johnson during their SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 13, 1984.
(Ricky Rogers/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee running back Reggie Cobb (34) runs by Auburn defenders Steve Brown (38), Walter Tate (76) in the 12th-ranked Vols' win against No. 4 Auburn at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 30, 1989.
(Mike DuBose/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee running back Chuck Webb speaks with members of the media during Vols' picture day at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 4, 1990.
(Robert Johnson/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee running back Tony Thompson dances over a fallen Vanderbilt defender as he rushed for 236 yards on 31 carries and four touchdowns in the Vols' 49-20 victory at Vanderbilt's Dudley Field on Dec. 1, 1990.
(Rick Musacchio/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Kentucky linebacker Ken Johnson sails over Tennessee running back Charlie Garner in the first half in 1992.
(Paul Efird/News Sentinel, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee senior running back James Stewart (33) in a 65-0 win over Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 26, 1994.
(Rex Perry/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee's Jamal Lewis is surrounded by Georgia defenders on October 12, 1997. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel) 0203 Kcsp Recruit Lewis04
(Michael Patrick/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee's Travis Henry looks to beat a Kansas State player around the corner during first half action Monday in the Cotton Bowl.
(News Sentinel Archive, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
University of Tennessee running back Travis Stephens crosses the goal line to score despite efforts of University of Florida safety Todd Johnson (26) during NCAA college football action December 1, 2001. The Southeastern Conference rivals met in Gainesville, Florida.
(Joe Skipper, REUTERS)
Nov. 6, 2004; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers #21 Cedric Houston stiff arms Notre Dame Fighting Irish #24 Dwight Ellick on his way to put the Vols up 10-7 in the first half at Neyland Stadium.
(Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arian Foster runs across the field against South Carolina on Oct. 29. 2005.
(Saul Young, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty (2) runs the ball during the game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. Hardesty carried the ball for 123 yards with 2 touchdowns.
(Adam Brimer/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oct. 10, 2015. Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Neyland Stadium.
(Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports)
Dylan Sampson. Tennessee Volunteers versus Alabama Crimson Tide on October 19, 2024 at Neyland Stadium.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers versus Arkansas Razorbacks football at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
1/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Johnny Majors when playing for Tennessee in the 1950s.
(News Sentinel Photo Archive, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
1/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Johnny Majors when playing for Tennessee in the 1950s.
(News Sentinel Photo Archive, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
2/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee running back Johnnie Jones (33) waits for a block from Todd Upton (70) and another teammates on Florida defender Alonzo Johnson during their SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 13, 1984.
(Ricky Rogers/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
3/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee running back Reggie Cobb (34) runs by Auburn defenders Steve Brown (38), Walter Tate (76) in the 12th-ranked Vols' win against No. 4 Auburn at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 30, 1989.
(Mike DuBose/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
4/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee running back Chuck Webb speaks with members of the media during Vols' picture day at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 4, 1990.
(Robert Johnson/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
5/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee running back Tony Thompson dances over a fallen Vanderbilt defender as he rushed for 236 yards on 31 carries and four touchdowns in the Vols' 49-20 victory at Vanderbilt's Dudley Field on Dec. 1, 1990.
(Rick Musacchio/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
6/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Kentucky linebacker Ken Johnson sails over Tennessee running back Charlie Garner in the first half in 1992.
(Paul Efird/News Sentinel, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
7/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee senior running back James Stewart (33) in a 65-0 win over Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 26, 1994.
(Rex Perry/The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
8/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee's Jamal Lewis is surrounded by Georgia defenders on October 12, 1997. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel) 0203 Kcsp Recruit Lewis04
(Michael Patrick/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
9/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee's Travis Henry looks to beat a Kansas State player around the corner during first half action Monday in the Cotton Bowl.
(News Sentinel Archive, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
10/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
University of Tennessee running back Travis Stephens crosses the goal line to score despite efforts of University of Florida safety Todd Johnson (26) during NCAA college football action December 1, 2001. The Southeastern Conference rivals met in Gainesville, Florida.
(Joe Skipper, REUTERS)
11/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Nov. 6, 2004; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers #21 Cedric Houston stiff arms Notre Dame Fighting Irish #24 Dwight Ellick on his way to put the Vols up 10-7 in the first half at Neyland Stadium.
(Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Arian Foster runs across the field against South Carolina on Oct. 29. 2005.
(Saul Young, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
13/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty (2) runs the ball during the game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. Hardesty carried the ball for 123 yards with 2 touchdowns.
(Adam Brimer/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
14/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Oct. 10, 2015. Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Neyland Stadium.
(Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports)
15/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
Dylan Sampson. Tennessee Volunteers versus Alabama Crimson Tide on October 19, 2024 at Neyland Stadium.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
16/16
PHOTOS: Tennessee football running backs through the years
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers versus Arkansas Razorbacks football at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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