Tennessee starting quarterback Erik Ainge might not play Saturday after suffering an injury to his right ankle late in last Saturday’s game against South Carolina.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer declined to go into specifics after Wednesday’s practice but it is clear that a contingency plan, which revolves around redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton, is being developed.

"Not sure just exactly how all of this is going to work out but it’s been exciting," Fulmer said. "It’s been interesting, a young guy getting a shot — maybe.

"It’s kind of really good story in some ways. If you’re Jon, it is. If you’re Erik, it might not be and we’re hoping he’ll get himself ready to go."

The Vols (7-1, 3-1 SEC) play No. 13 LSU (6-2, 2-2) at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. (TV: WVLT).

Fulmer bristled a bit when reporters asked about Ainge’s recovery from the ankle injury.

"Our interest is getting ready to play the game and getting whoever is there ready to play," Fulmer said. "Our focus right now is on Jon and Bo (Hardegree) and working the thought process around what they can do. We certainly know what Erik can do."

LSU coach Les Miles appeared to be taking nothing for granted Wednesday.

"We’re prepared for their best," he told The Advocate after practice. "We’ve looked at the few snaps that the other quarterbacks played. We figure that their package is ready to go.

"I can imagine that if adrenaline and want-to has any play in it, they’ll have (Ainge) ready."

Ainge looked limited as he tried to practice on Wednesday. Crompton worked with the first team. Hardegree worked with the second team.

"Whoever’s out there we’ll be excited about playing," Fulmer said. "It’s not like we don’t have another guy. We can go and we can play the game."

Ainge mostly took part in individual drills with UT’s receivers. He also participated in a limited amount of team periods.

"I was able to do a lot more today that I was yesterday ? I was real pleased with where I was today," he said.

The weather didn’t help Ainge. Persistent rain forced UT to practice indoors on turf.

"The indoor facility is a lot harder," Ainge said. "It gives my ankles problems when they’re feeling good. That’s another reason why I wasn’t out here too long."

Crompton has never started a game at UT. He has completed his four passes after sitting out last season due to surgery on his throwing shoulder. Now, Crompton said, he finally understands UT’s offense.

"It’s kind of funny," he said. "During the preseason, you’re like, ‘I know the offense.’ So many months later you’re like, ‘Man, I honestly didn’t know as much as I thought I did.’ "

Whoever takes the snaps for the Vols, senior Robert Meachem will surely be on the receiving end of some of those passes.

With Crompton coming in, he hasn’t missed a beat," Meachem said. "We’re all getting on the same page. If Erik can’t go, Crompton can be a great fit. We feel like both of them we’ll probably play this Saturday."

Meachem said Crompton’s running ability makes him a bit different than Ainge, who is considered a drop-back passer.

"It makes us multiple," Meachem said. "It helps us because really LSU has never seen Crompton play. It kind of gives us an advantage on them.

"But it gives them an advantage too because he’s young and he hasn’t played in a game like this before."