Tennessee football will be without star linebacker Arion Carter for the first two weeks of the season after he was suspended by the NCAA. The suspension stems from when a Carter's agent paid for his $427 flight to an NFL pre-draft training facility before Carter returned to college after initially planning to enter the draft.Knox News obtained an internal athletics department document detailing the violation through a public records request, and a UT spokesperson told Knox News that the suspension was the result of that violation. The NCAA initially declared him ineligible because he accepted a material benefit from an agent in preparation for the NFL draft.The NCAA initially issued a three-game suspension but it was reduced to two games after Tennessee appealed the decision.Arion Carter represents everything that is right about college athletics, dedicating all four years of his career to the University of Tennessee," Heupel said in a statement to Knox News. "His high character, loyalty and leadership within our program are unmatched. We disagree with the NCAAs ruling on punishing Arion with a multi-game suspension this fall."Carter will miss the Vols' games against Furman (Sept. 5) and Georgia Tech (Sept. 12). He will participate in preseason practice starting Aug. 5 but won't appear in a game until Week 3 against Kennesaw State (Sept. 19).How Arion Carter suspension impacts TennesseeCarter is one of the SECs best linebackers, and his absence for the first two games will be a major blow to Tennessee's defense. He was an All-SEC selection last year even after missing two regular-season games due to injury, managing 76 tackles in just 10 games with six tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His 7.6 tackles per game led the SEC last season.Carter was voted2026 preseason All-SEC third teamby the conference's media.As a senior, Carter is also a team leader. He has represented the Vols at SEC media days the past two years.The Vols will be fine without Carter against Furman at home in Week 1, but him missing the next game at Georgia Tech won't be as easy to absorb. The Yellow Jackets place a heavy emphasis on the run and boast one of the ACC's top rushing attacks.That matchup carries a particular importance on Tennessee's schedule given it is the Vols' only game against a power conference opponent before facing a nine-game SEC slate. It will also be the defense's first major test in new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' system after he arrived from Penn State in the offseason.Tennessee's defense with Arion Carter suspendedEven though Carter is one of Tennessee's top defensive players, linebacker is arguably the roster's deepest position group, so there are options to help fill the void left by his absence.Edwin Spillman and Jeremiah Telander are back after ranking among the SECs top tacklers last season, both totaling at least 80 tackles. Penn State transfer Amare Campbell is new to the program but had 103 tackles last season and knows Knowles' defense.Sophomores Jadon Perlotte and Jaedon Harmon, both former four-star recruits, also return after receiving plenty of playing time as freshmen.Emmett Siegel coversTennesseebaseball for Knox News. Email:emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X:@EmmettSiegel_This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Arion Carter suspension affects Tennessee football, defense in first two games