Georgia Tech could be without yet another of its top running backs when it faces Tennessee next Monday, Sept. 4, in the season opener in Atlanta.

A-back Clinton Lynch reportedly did not practice again on Monday, leaving his status for the season opener in question.

This would be quite a blow to the Yellow Jackets’ depth in the backfield, as leading rusher Dedrick Mills was recently dismissed.

Head coach Paul Johnson apparently said last week that if Lynch didn’t return to practice by the end of the week, he probably wouldn’t play. Johnson was even less certain Monday, according to the report from The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“We’ll see,” Johnson said. “Well, he can’t play until he gets back out there. I’ll make a decision when he gets back. We can’t decide when he’s not practicing.”

Lynch is recovering from an undisclosed injury, and has been out most of the preseason. He rushed for 415 yards last year as a sophomore.