The career of Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley is likely over.
Volunteers head coach Butch Jones announced Tuesday that the senior will undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. The injury, which occurred during the Vols’ loss to Ole Miss on Oct. 18, will end his season.
“Justin Worley is out for the rest of the year,” Jones said. “He will undergo surgery, but he is still going around the team. And now he goes from player Worley to coach Worley.”
Jones said that Worley did all he could to get back on the field, but the injury ended up being too severe.
“I give Justin Worley all the credit in the world,” Jones said. “He tried anything and everything to rehabilitate his shoulder back. He just could not get the velocity that he needs, so he’s out for the rest of the year.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Worley started the first seven games of the season for the Vols. He threw for 1,579 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 62.3 percent of his passes. He also added three scores on the ground.
Coming into the 2014 season, Worley saw action in each of his previous three seasons with the program. He started seven games in 2013 before breaking his thumb against Alabama. Worley threw for 1,239 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a junior.
Additionally, Worley saw limited action in five games in 2012, throwing for 134 yards in two interceptions. He saw his first action as a starter in three games as a true freshman in 2011 when he threw for 604 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
With Worley out, sophomore Josh Dobbs will take over at quarterback. Jones pulled Dobbs’ redshirt when Worley went down. The moved paid off.
Dobbs, a dual-threat, showed flashes with 192 yards and two touchdowns along with 75 yards rushing in relief of Worley against Ole Miss. Last weekend against South Carolina, Dobbs led the Vols to a comeback 45-42 overtime road win. Dobbs torched the Gamecocks for 301 passing yards, 166 rushing yards and five combined touchdowns (two passing, three rushing) in the win and received a standing ovation from classmates for his efforts.
Tennessee, now 4-5, are off this week before a Nov. 15 home contest with Kentucky.
For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
