Tennessee dismissed defensive tackle Danny O'Brien for an undisclosed violation of team rules just two days after he was carted off the field after being injured Saturday against Texas A&M.
The school said in a brief statement Monday that the dismissal is "unrelated to the injury he suffered against Texas A&M." The release said that Tennessee will provide O'Brien with any additional medical treatment, should he require it.
O'Brien addressed his dismissal via Twitter on Monday night:
I take full responsibility. I'm grateful for my teammates, coaches, and Vol nation. It has been and honor to help bring this program back.
— Danny O'Brien (@dandiesel13) October 11, 2016
O'Brien was injured while blocking in the fourth quarter. He remained facedown on the field while trainers rushed to his aid. He was on the field for several minutes as players from both teams kneeled. Some fans were seen crying.
O'Brien was strapped to a board and placed on the stretcher before he was carted off the field. Tennessee officials told CBS that he was moving all his extremities, but there was no other immediate update on his condition.
O'Brien started each of Tennessee's first six games and had 14 tackles, including three for loss. The fifth-year senior from Flint, Michigan, has made 18 career starts the past three seasons.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.