COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's leading tackler Skai Moore won't play against Tennessee because of an ankle injury.

Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said Thursday that sophomore linebacker Moore would miss the game with the Vols (3-5, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) on Saturday night. Moore was the team's top tackler a year ago as a freshman and was leading the Gamecocks (4-4, 2-4) with 51 stops this season.

Moore sprained his right ankle in the 42-35 loss last week at Auburn (No. 3 CFP, No. 4 AP).

Ward said Jonathan Walton would step in to start in Moore's place with T.J. Holloman as the backup. The coordinator also said reserve safety Kadetrix Marcus would miss the Tennessee game with a shoulder sprain.