Danny O'Brien Dismissed by Tennessee: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Tennessee Volunteers lost a critical defensive presence on Oct. 10 as they prepare for Saturday's showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to Patrick Brown of the Times Free Press, the football program dismissed defensive tackle Danny O’Brien because of a violation of team rules. On Thursday, Jimmy Hyams of WNML reported O'Brien, who had been suspended over positive drug tests on two previous occasions, was dismissed after failing another test.

O’Brien suffered a head injury during Tennessee’s 45-38 double-overtime loss to the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday when he made helmet-to-helmet contact with an opposing player.

Bryan Fischer of College Football Talk noted the defensive lineman was carted off after the play.

However, Paul Fortenberry of Rivals' Volquest.com shared a statement from the school that ensured the dismissal had nothing to do with the injury:

Andrew Astleford of SEC Country noted Tennessee will continue to cover any medical needs after the dismissal.

The Associated Press (h/t USA Today) reported in 2014 that O’Brien was arrested for alcohol-related charges and resisting arrest at a party in the apartment of a former Volunteers player. Per the AP, the arrest report stated O’Brien “had a very strong odor of alcohol on his breath and became combative” with the officer.

The 6'2", 301-pound senior was a physical presence in the middle of the line. While he had just three sacks in his career, he often occupied multiple blockers up front and freed up pass-rushing lanes for outside linebackers and defensive ends.