When: Monday afternoon

Where: Haslam Field

Gear: Shorts and shoulder pads

Soaring Sears: Sophomore OL Aaron Sears began practice Monday with the first team. Sears lined up at right tackle in place of junior Albert Toeaina. Sears said coaches told him before practice that the two would split snaps at right tackle.

Toeaina’s practice time has been limited recently by a sore knee. Toeaina began the fall as the first team right tackle. Fulmer said early in fall drills that Sears was one of UT’s best five offensive linemen.



Toughing it out: Junior WR Jomo Fagan did his best to take part in Monday’s practice. Fagan, wearing a boot for his ailing foot, caught passes during a quarterback drill.

Freshman TE Brad Cottam returned after missing Saturday’s scrimmage with a sore shoulder. Cottam donned a green no-contact jersey for his return.

Junior LB Kevin Simon also practiced Monday on a limited basis. Simon is still bothered by a pulled abdominal muscle.

MIA: Several Vols were held out of practice to recuperate minor injuries: junior WR C.J. Fayton, freshman WR Bill Grimes, senior TE Victor McClure (shoulder).

Junior WR/S James Banks returned to practice after being forced to miss Saturday’s scrimmage because he was late to a team meeting.

Vol Notes: Fulmer said he was pleased with freshman linebacker J.T. Turner in Saturday’s scrimmage. Fulmer also complimented freshman QB’s Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer. Fulmer said they were showing both signal callers a wide range of defensive plays. Fulmer said freshman Ryan Karl has been moved to strong-side linebacker from safety because of the absence of Marvin Mitchell (knee) and Nick Wilson (suspension).

Looking Ahead: The Vols traditionally hold a Tuesday scrimmage during the last week of fall camp. Fulmer said that it would likely be scaled back because of injuries.

Fulmer said he is considering closing out fall drills with "thud" practices in which contact is allowed but defenders don’t take offensive players to the ground. Fulmer said the majority of other programs he has polled hold such practices.