Tennessee’s leader in sacks from a season ago will not be on the field when spring practice begins later this month.

Defensive end/linebacker Curt Maggitt will miss spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Jones said senior linebacker/defensive end Curt Maggitt will miss the spring after shoulder surgery. Said that was an injury from the season — Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) March 6, 2015

Maggitt, a redshirt senior, missed the entire 2013 season after suffering a torn ACL against Missouri late in the 2012 season. He returned this past season and had his best year as a Vol, accounting for 11 sacks and 48 total tackles.

The Volunteers expect to have Maggitt back for fall practice.

The Florida native is a key part of the Vols’ defensive unit and not just because of his on-the-field success.

Maggitt is, without a doubt, the emotional leader of Tennessee’s football team. From the moment he takes part in the Vol walk, Maggitt sets the tone for the team. Missing spring practice shouldn’t be too big of an issue for him or the Vols, though it will hurt to not have him in the middle of drills.

Tennessee definitely needs to make sure they have a healthy Curt Maggitt in 2015 if they plan on building on their defensive success from 2014.

The Vols have a chance to have an extremely special defensive unit this upcoming season. They’ll need a healthy Maggitt to fulfill that vision.

UT fans, however, shouldn’t have anything to worry about, as long as Maggitt is a full go this fall.