Roshaun Fellows could miss the 2006 season in order to undergo surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.

The junior cornerback and Tennessee's medical staff expect to make a decision soon, according to coach Phillip Fulmer.

"He'll have a lot to say about what he wants to do with that," Fulmer said.

Fellows has been dealing with pain throughout fall practice. He suffered the chest injury during spring drills.

"Everybody agreed," Fulmer said. "Let's try to push through it."

Fulmer said there was no consideration given for having the surgery earlier in the offseason because Fellows would have still been forced to miss the season.

"It's a pain issue," Fulmer said. "If there was a risk of some kind of serious injury, we would have already done the surgery."

The pain started bothering Fellows this week, forcing him to miss practice time.

Although Fellows was not expected to start, he was an experienced backup. Fellows started 12 games at UT and played in 23.

Fellows redshirted in 2003 meaning he would lose a year of eligibility if he decides to undergo surgery.

Junior Antonio Gaines is the most-experienced backup cornerback other than Fellows. Gaines played in 12 games.

"Obviously, the depth in the secondary is a concern," Fulmer said.

UT has three safeties competing for playing time and they could play cornerback.

Junior Jonathan Hefney and senior Antwan Stewart have started several games at cornerback at UT. Sophomore Demetrice Morley could also play cornerback.

Fellows' ailment is one of the few injuries UT has been forced to face this fall. Have the Vols been tougher or more fortunate?

"I think both," Fulmer said.

Minor Surgery For Hostetter: Junior defensive end Jared Hostetter had a minor surgical procedure at University of Tennessee Medical Center to remove hardware from a previous injury. He was released and is expected to make a full recovery, athletic officials said.

Hardesty Update: Sophomore tailback Montario Hardesty, who has missed workouts because of a swollen knee, participated in half of Wednesday's practice. He had right knee surgery last fall. UT will monitor his progress and bring him along slowly.

Fulmer said he was pleased with redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker, who has received more snaps in Hardesty's absence.

"He's in shape (for) maybe the first time since sixth grade," Fulmer said.

Aside from his physical improvement, Fulmer said the former Antioch High School star's attitude has also changed.

"I thought he had a little of that arrogance to him at times," Fulmer said, referring to last year. "But not at all right now. He's working his rear off."

Well Centered: Center Josh McNeil said he was getting "more and more" first-team repetitions but he wasn't ready to proclaim himself a first-team player.

"You'd have to ask Coach Fulmer about that," the redshirt freshman said. "The one thing I have to do consistently is have consistency.

"One play I'll go out there and make a heckuva play and the next play I'll make a stupid freshman mistake. I've got to cut that out."

Fulmer said McNeil and junior Michael Frogg are splitting snaps.

McNeil said he takes full responsibility for at least two fumbled snaps he had in last Saturday's scrimmage. The problems, he said, have been remedied.

"Not one," McNeil said when asked if he's had any fumbles this week.

Linebacker Lingo: Fulmer said UT's three first-team linebackers are receiving plenty of competition from their backups.

Junior Ryan Karl, senior Marvin Mitchell, and sophomore Jerod Mayo are first-teamers , but that could change, said Fulmer. Redshirt freshman Rico McCoy is one to watch.

"Rico McCoy could be more talented than any of them," Fulmer said.

Fulmer also said sophomores Ellix Wilson and Adam Myers White are pushing for playing time.

Fulmer said he needed more productivity out of the backup middle linebackers: junior James Turner and freshman Andre Mathis, who are playing behind Mitchell.

Practice Report: Fulmer said he was pleased with the effort in Wednesday's practice. The Vols opened the workout with some spirited drills in which coaches participated and players were allowed to choose their favorite plays.

Fulmer said UT had two of its best kicking days in practice in two or three years.

"Energy level was very good," Fulmer. "They were very responsive."

UT will hold a short scrimmage today, which will focus on goal line and short yardage. The Vols will hold their second major scrimmage Saturday.

UT will hold an early morning and late-evening practice today for its final two-a-day practice.

Freshmen Report: Fulmer said his staff was close to determining which freshmen would play this season instead of redshirting. UT typically plays half of its freshmen in the first year.

UT has 14 freshmen on campus. Fulmer said he expected to play five or six.