What happened: The school said the penalty stems from a $427 flight that an agent paid for during Carter's NFL draft process. Carter repaid the money and cut ties with the agent after returning to school.
Why it matters: The suspension removes a veteran linebacker from Tennessee's opener and its first road game of the 2026 season. The second absence comes Sept. 12 in Atlanta.
By the numbers: Tennessee is 25-17-2 all-time against Georgia Tech and won their most recent meeting 42-41 in 2017.
What to watch: Tennessee's linebacker rotation ahead of the Sept. 5 opener is the next roster decision to watch.