Tennessee's secondary took one step forward and one step back Thursday.

Roshaun Fellows' spring practice is likely over because of a persistent sore knee. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the sophomore defensive back may have "a little bit of a tear."

UT doctors are concerned with Fellows' medial meniscus. He had an MRI performed Thursday and will discuss his options today with coaches and doctors.

Surgery is the likely option so Fellows will be 100 percent this fall and only miss spring practice. The pain in the knee became unbearable during Tuesday's practice. He did not practice Thursday and will not practice this week.

Fellows had been the first team safety before the injury after playing last season at cornerback.

Sophomore Antwan Stewart returned to practice. The sophomore defensive back has not practiced since last fall.

Stewart suffered setbacks in his rehabilitation that slowed his return which was optimistically planned for the 2004 season. Stewart suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during spring practice in 2004.

Stewart took the place of Fellows in Thursday's practice. Defensive back coach Larry Slade said Stewart took every snap with the first team.

"Physically, I'm not certain yet," Slade said of Stewart's return. "We'll see if he can go. Mentally, he did a good job. I thought he did well for the first day."

Said Stewart, "I'm real rusty. I've got a lot of coaching to take. Safety is a whole lot different than corner. I just have to gain more trust in my leg."

Fulmer said Stewart's play making ability and experience would be an added plus to UT's secondary which had consisted of two sophomores that had never started a game at safety: Fellows and Jonathan Hefney.

Fulmer said Hefney could still be used at safety but he only played cornerback Thursday.

Junior Corey Campbell played beside Stewart as the first sting safety. Sophomore Inquoris "Inky" Johnson played first team cornerback with Hefney on Thursday.

"I'm getting more work than I thought I would," Johnson said. "Every chance I get, I'm trying to take advantage of it. It could all be gone in a split second."

Starter Or Not: Fulmer said he wasn't sure that UT's coaches would decide on a starting quarterback coming out of spring practice, but that would be his preference. Fulmer said he planned to name a starter at the conclusion of spring practice earlier this month.

"We're going to let it run through the spring and see what's the best thing for us," Fulmer said. "I'd like to see us come out with a guy that's going to be the guy in the summer. That's up to them."

"I'm not trying to backpedal on anything. I just want to let it work itself out. I would like to have a guy that has distinguished himself so much that he's the obvious starter. If it's not obvious, the we'll let them compete in the fall."

Surgeries: Redshirt freshman center Cameron Mayo underwent surgery on his left knee Wednesday at UT Medical Center to correct ligament damage that caused a partial dislocation of his kneecap.

Sophomores David Holbert and Ellix Wilson are scheduled for surgical procedures at UT Medical Center today. Holbert is having right shoulder reconstruction. Wilson will have right arthroscopic knee surgery to treat a meniscus tear.

Orange Slices: Fulmer said Robert Ayers transition to defensive end from linebacker was "slow" because of a shoulder that was weakened by an earlier surgery. "He's a neophyte of where he'll be one day," Fulmer said. ... Fulmer said sophomore Eric Young was physically ready to play but was struggling with his consistency. ... UT voted on captains and will name them later this week. ... Former Southern Cal and UNLV coach John Robinson visited practice. He is the keynote speaker for UT's coaching clinic that starts today. ... Fulmer said he tried Johnson at wide receiver and freshman Josh Briscoe at defensive back this week. Briscoe is a regular receiver.