Todd Kelly Jr. had a rough senior season in 2017, and so far his offseason isn’t going much better according to reports.
Multiple reports have stated that Kelly Jr. sustained injuries on Thursday night and was admitted to the Tennessee Medical Center. Trey Wallace of The Read Optional first reported the news, and he claims that Kelly Jr. suffered those injuries due to a fall.
According to Sources: Tennessee DB Todd Kelly Jr is currently at Tennessee Medical Center dealing with injuries occurred overnight.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyW_Radio) January 12, 2018
Todd Kelly Jr was admitted to Tennessee Medical Center last night after suffering injuries from a fall. More details to come… https://t.co/6mWOYNLYYF
— Trey Wallace (@TreyW_Radio) January 12, 2018
Later in the day, Mike Griffith of SEC Country reported that Kelly Jr. had been admitted to the medical center but was back on campus Friday with no serious injuries “according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.”
One report from longtime Knoxville reporter Jimmy Hyams claims that his injuries came about after an apparent suicide attempt, however. Hyams’ report has thus far been unconfirmed, and no other reports about Kelly’s injury have mentioned a suicide attempt, though.
But according to Hyams, Kelly was involved in a “minor altercation” with another male at a bar on Cumberland Avenue according to a UT police report, went back to his apartment, got in an argument with his girlfriend, and threatened suicide when she started to leave. This was all from the incident report according to Hyams.
Once again, this report has thus far been unconfirmed, but we will update as more information becomes available.
Kelly Jr. himself sent out a tweet this morning that didn’t confirm anything, but he thanked people for prayers and said he appreciated “the love and support” he’s received.
Thanks for the prayers, God can do anything! Appreciate the love and support. ??
— Todd Kelly Jr. (TK) (@ToddKellyJr) January 12, 2018
Kelly played in just two games for for the Vols in 2017, and he has received a medical redshirt and will play a fifth season for Tennessee in 2018. Kelly had surgery in October of 2017 to repair his knee that he injured during the season. He totaled just eight tackles and half a tackle for loss in 2017.
In 2016, Kelly led the Vols in tackles with 71, and he had been one of the more consistent players on Tennessee’s defense over the last few seasons. In 40 career games with the Vols (16 starts), Kelly has totaled 158 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 14 passes defended, eight interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
UPDATE: Todd Kelly Jr. has since responded with a tweet stating that his knee that had been recovering from surgery “gave out on me and resulted in me slipping and falling.”
— Todd Kelly Jr. (TK) (@ToddKellyJr) January 12, 2018
