Keenan Pili injury update: Tennessee football star injures right leg in game vs Florida
Keenan Pili suffered an apparent right leg injury in Tennessee football vs. Florida on Saturday.
The seventh-year senior linebacker will not return against the Gators, according to ESPN. Pili reached toward his right leg after making a tackle on a short completion to Florida's Arlis Boardingham near midfield in the first quarter.
Pili returned to UT this season after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2023 season opener against Virginia. It was his second medical redshirt season. Pili used the extra year of eligibility he had due to a season-ending knee injury in 2021 at BYU.
He transferred to Tennessee following the 2022 season.
Keenan Pili injury update
Pili was the first player to reach Boardingham after he caught an 7-yard pass from quarterback Graham Mertz on third-and-11. He went down and lay on the turf, requiring medical attention on the field and help leaving the field.
He departed at the 10:23 mark.
Jeremiah Telander enters for Keenan Pili vs Florida
Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander entered for Pili on the following Florida drive. Telander has 13 tackles in five games with a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Keenan Pili stats for Tennessee football
Pili is Tennessee's leading tackler this season with 28 tackles in five games. He also has two quarterback hurries.
RETURN: Why Keenan Pili decided to return to Tennessee football in 2024 after season-ending injury
The veteran linebacker is an integral part of UT's highly ranked defense.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Keenan Pili injury update: Tennessee football LB exits game vs Florida
