The absence of Tennessee running back Marlin Lane has had its own evolution this spring.
Lane was originally said to be dealing with a family illness when he missed practice last week. When Lane was again absent from practice on Thursday, assistants deferred questions about his status to head coach Butch Jones. After Saturday’s scrimmage, Jones said Lane’s absence was due to disciplinary reasons.
Jones did not elaborate and a timetable for Lane’s return has not been set.
As a sophomore in 2012, Lane was the team’s second-leading rusher with 658 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Heading into the 2013 season, Lane, along with senior-to-be Rajion Neal, was expected to compete for the starting job at running back.