Pig Howard Dismissed by Tennessee: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Tennessee senior wide receiver Alton "Pig" Howard has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. 

Per Wes Rucker of 247Sports, Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones announced that Howard was no longer with the program. The report notes that Jones did not provide a specific reason for the move.

Howard has been in trouble with the team already this season. Per Chip Patterson of CBS Sports, the 22-year-old was suspended for the season opener against Bowling Green for what Jones called a violation of team rules. 

"This is something that dates back many months," Jones said in August. "To Alton's credit, I like the way he's approached training camp. He's had the best training camp that he's had since we've been here. I'm appreciative of his efforts, but he will miss the Bowling Green game."

Howard, who has not played since Sept. 19, has missed Tennessee's last two games due to a concussion. He has just two receptions this season after leading the Vols with 54 receptions and 618 receiving yards last season. 

Tennessee has had a difficult start to the 2015 season. The Volunteers were ranked 25th in the AP and coaches preseason polls, but they have gone 2-3 through five games, including 0-2 in the SEC. 

Howard's dismissal, for whatever the reason may be, adds another layer of drama and disappointment to what has been a rough year for Jones in Knoxville. He hasn't been present most of this season, but a team losing its leading returning receiver will force other playmakers to step up in an effort to get this program back on track.