Tennessee LB Arion Carter's Suspension Over $427 Flight Reduced by NCAA

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter had his suspension regarding a flight payment reduced to one game by the NCAA, Volunteers athletic director Danny White announced Tuesday.

Carter initially received a two-game suspension on July 29 after his agent paid $427 for a flight to an NFL training facility during the offseason. He later paid the agent back for the flight.

The NCAA originally suspended Carter three games for the Level III violation before the Volunteers appealed the penalty and had it reduced, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

The 21-year-old played through a foot injury near the end of last season and declared for the 2026 NFL draft in Dec. 2025, but ultimately returned to Tennessee after aggravating the injury and undergoing surgery.

Carter is expected to be a key piece of a deep Volunteers linebacking corps that includes Amare Campbell, Edwin Spillman and Jeremiah Telander.

In 10 games last season, Carter racked up 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, two passes defended, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

Tennessee is looking to remain a threat in the SEC during its 2026 campaign after recording double-digit win totals in two of the past four years.

While Carter will still miss the Volunteers' season-opening clash with Furman on Sept. 5, he'll now be available to suit up during a matchup with Georgia Tech on Sept. 12.