Key Virginia player trending toward not playing in season-opener against Tennessee
The Virginia Cavaliers could be without a key defensive player when they take on the Tennessee Vols on September 2 in Nashville. Virginia All-ACC defensive end Chico Bennett, who is from Franklin, TN, suffered a non-contact knee injury during the Cavaliers' first fall scrimmage and he's yet to return to practice. On Monday, Virginia head […]
The Virginia Cavaliers could be without a key defensive player when they take on the Tennessee Vols on September 2 in Nashville.
Virginia All-ACC defensive end Chico Bennett, who is from Franklin, TN, suffered a non-contact knee injury during the Cavaliers' first fall scrimmage and he's yet to return to practice.
On Monday, Virginia head coach Tony Elliott said there's no timetable for his return.
"It was a crazy thing," said Elliott when asked about Bennett's injury on Monday. "There was some some bone fragments that have broken off at some point throughout the course of his growth, and they just got lodged in the perfect position to cause swelling and impinge the knee, so he couldn't even bend his knee prior to the surgery."
"Now he's out here walking around with no crutches, so I know he's got 10 days where he can't do anything and then all progress as his knee stops swelling, and he can get himself ready to play," added Elliott. "So I don't have a timeline in particular, but I know after 10 days I'll be able to tell you better, because we'll be able to turn them loose and see see where he's at in his absence."
Bennett, who transferred to Virginia ahead of the 2021 season after spending two years at Georgia Tech, totaled 7 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last season for the Cavaliers.
While Elliott hasn't officially ruled out Bennett from playing against Tennessee, it certainly doesn't sound like the All-ACC pass rusher will be playing against the Vols on September 2.
Virginia HC Tony Elliott showed the Vols’ current team a lot of respect
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott showed the Tennessee Vols’ current team a lot of respect
Featured image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
