Roshaun Fellows will likely have surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday night.

"Roshaun Fellows, there is no surgery scheduled," Fulmer said following Thursday evening’s practice inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. "We’re trying to get it on the surgeon’s schedule."

When asked if that meant Fellows would definitely have surgery later, Fulmer said, "It looks like it.

"We’ve got to do what’s right for him long term, like we always do."

Fellows was the Vols’ top reserve at cornerback behind starters Jonathan Wade and Inquoris Johnson.

Fulmer said that a medical redshirt is unlikely, since Fellows would only miss one season and redshirted as a freshmen.

Earlier Thursday following the morning practice at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Fulmer said he would rather see the reserve cornerbacks fill the void than move any players from safety.

Sophomore Demetrice Morley would be the first to move, but he’s not going anywhere yet.



"He would be the first guy to go out there as a starter," Fulmer said. "But I’m hopeful these other two or three that are out there — Ricardo Kemp, Antonio Gaines and Marsalous Johnson, when he gets back (from serving a four-game suspension) — will not make us have to do that.

"But he (Morley) is athletic enough, and to get your best players on the field, that will certainly be an option."

Freshman Ricardo Kemp moved to corner from running back to help add depth before Fellows missed time because of the injury, and Fulmer expressed hope that the NCAA Clearinghouse will clear freshman Stephaun Raines.

"Not a lot more we can do," Fulmer said. "We’re still hopeful we can get Stephaun Raines in here, and that might help the situation some just with another guy."

Should the Vols be forced to shuffle the secondary, there’s plenty of experience at safety.

Aside from Morley, who played in all 11 games last season, strong safety Antwan Stewart started five games at cornerback as a freshman in 2003 and free safety Jonathan Hefney started 12 games at corner as a freshman.

Stewart is expected to start at strong safety, while Hefney has locked down the free safety spot.

Cast Off: Defensive lineman Turk McBride said the cast on his right hand will be removed Wednesday, the first day of classes at UT.

McBride, who had offseason surgery on his thumb, said he did not reinjure the thumb after breaking the cast in last Saturday’s scrimmage.



"It’s almost healed," he said. "I broke the cast and was getting a little bit of movement in my thumb."

McBride, who will play at either tackle or end, said he missed about four plays of the scrimmage while trainers secured the cast.



Rogers In Mix: Sophomore receiver Austin Rogers isn’t competing only for time at wide receiver.

Fulmer said the Nashville native is pressing for time as a punt returner.

"He could easily end up being our punt returner," Fulmer said.

UT receivers coach Trooper Taylor has said that Rogers is competing with fellow sophomores Josh Briscoe and Lucas Taylor for the final two spots in Tennessee’s five-receiver rotation.

"I think Austin really showed some things early in camp," Fulmer said. "I think two-a-days has taken a toll on him; he’s plateaued a little bit, I think. Hopefully, when he gets his legs back and gets everything going that we can count on him being in the mix a little bit."



Hardesty Update: Backup tailback Montario Hardesty is questionable for Saturday’s scrimmage.

Fulmer said there is no structural damage to Hardesty’s surgically repaired knee, but it continues to swell.

"It’s going to be his call and the trainer’s call," Fulmer said. "My opinion is right now he’ll probably get some scrimmage. He wants to be out there."



Notebook: Quarterback Erik Ainge’s father, Doug, attended the Vols’ Thursday evening practice. ? Junior defensive lineman Jared Hostetter is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing minor surgery Tuesday. ? Fulmer said sophomore defensive end and junior college transfer Walter Fisher (shoulder) could return in 3-4 weeks.