More trouble at Tennessee? Key RB suspended after pot arrest

If it wasn’t the persistent losing, or the middle fingers put up against Alabama fans, or even the hot seat that’s frying Butch Jones right now, then the under-fire coach has had to do something else: Suspend his top running back.

John Kelly, who’s had 615 yards on 125 carries and 6 TDs, as well as 26 receptions for 255 yards (averaging 9.8 yards per reception), is a key playmaker, was cited on marijuana possession on Wednesday.

“Kelly consented to the search, and officers asked Ignont to get out of the car, the statement said. During the search, they found “a clear plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana” as well as “a glass pipe usually used to smoke marijuana,” according to the statement from Knoxville Police. The baggie contained 4.6 grams of marijuana, which Kelly and linebacker Will Ignont (who hasn’t played much for the Vols).

The two players drove away from the scene, but not away from Jones.

“Members of our football team have a responsibility to represent the University of Tennessee in a first-class manner. I met with John and Will and they understand their actions were unacceptable,” Jones said in a statement.

Tennessee plays at Kentucky this weekend, then it’s Southern Miss and then a trip to Missouri.

In our view, it would be a surprise if Jones doesn’t have Kelly back for the Missouri game.