Tennessee’s defense will miss having LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin and DB Cam Sutton on the field, but the two injured stars are still having an impact for the Volunteers.

Both players have been mainstays on the sideline and in practices since their injuries.

Though Reeves-Maybin is out for the season, coach Butch Jones told the Knoxville News Sentinel he loves having the team captain around the program still:

“Really, really proud of him and the man that he has become, and everything he has brought to our football program, and he still has a major role in this football team,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “He’s the captain, and even though he can’t help us win on the field, he can definitely help us win off the field.”

Sutton also received rave reviews from his position coach:

“Just like he has never left, just like he is playing. He is tremendous,” Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez said. “He is really good with our players, especially on the back end, the secondary. He meets with them. They go visit with him, they spend time with him whether it’s at his place or obviously he’s in our meetings. He’s on game day and he is there in our meeting the night before the game. He does a tremendous job. He is a great leader.”

Having veteran players like Sutton and Reeves-Maybin around will only continue to help Butch Jones and his staff develop younger athletes.

It’s a safe bet that we’ll be seeing plenty of Reeves-Maybin and Sutton as the season goes on.