Tennessee will be without starting offensive guard Wendell Moe Jr. for the rest of the 2026 season after the fifth-year senior suffered a lower-body injury during the Volunteers' 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas on Sept. 26.

Moe was injured on Tennessee's opening possession after DeSean Bishop's 2-yard run. He received attention on the field before leaving with assistance and heading to the locker room. He did not return to the game.

The 6-foot-2, 330-pound lineman had started each of the Volunteers' first four games at left guard. His season-ending injury removes one of Tennessee's most experienced and accomplished offensive players.

Moe played 44 career games with 42 starts, including 27 starts during three seasons at Arizona. He transferred to Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season and started 11 games last year, with eight starts at right guard and three at left guard.

Moe earned first-team All-SEC recognition from The Associated Press in 2025 after playing both guard positions. He was also the only Vols player named a preseason All-American and entered 2026 on the watch lists for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.

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Tennessee adjusted its offensive line immediately after Moe's departure against the Longhorns. Shamurad Umarov moved from right guard to left guard, while West Virginia transfer Donovan Haslam entered at right guard. That combination is among the options available for the Volunteers moving forward. Another possibility is Jesse Perry at guard alongside Umarov, with Ory Williams remaining at right tackle.

Moe's absence comes as Tennessee prepares to host Auburn on Oct. 3 at Neyland Stadium. The No. 17 Vols enter the matchup at 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play, while the Tigers are 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference action. The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This timing speaks volumes after Tennessee's offense struggled against Texas. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon produced a season-low 145 passing yards, while the rushing attack finished with only 70 yards on 44 attempts after averaging more than 250 rushing yards per game entering the contest.

Moe is also the seventh Volunteers player to suffer a season-ending injury in the first four games of the 2026 season. He joins Edrees Farooq, Ethan Davis, Dylan Lewis, Joakim Dodson, Jaedon Harmon and Jadais Richard on the list of Tennessee players ruled out for the remainder of the season.