Tennessee’s defense lost some depth as coach Jeremy Pruitt revealed on Monday that defensive back Baylen Buchanan, who missed last season with a spine injury, will sit out the 2020 season.

Buchanan, who is the son of former NFL defensive back Ray Buchanan, in 2018 started all 12 games for Tennessee and registered 49 tackles and 4 pass breakups for the Vols. Buchanan had a narrowing of the spine, Pruitt said last season, and he has visited with experts around the country to find a solution for the issue.

Buchanan may be most remembered in 2018 for 7 tackles and a pass breakup that led to an interception and defensive score for UT against No. 1 Alabama. He also made 7 tackles against No. 21 Auburn. Overall, the veteran defensive back saw action at cornerback, safety and nickel back and made 49 tackles and 4 pass breakups.

Buchanan took a medical redshirt last season after he played the previous 3 campaigns. There’s a chance Buchanan could return next season, however, that is unknown at this point. He will continue to rehab.