Erik Ainge was adamant last week that he would be healthy enough to play against LSU. This week against Arkansas, he's not so sure.

"I really don't know right now," said Tennessee's junior quarterback, who was wearing a protective boot on his right lower leg Monday. "The ankle is still pretty sore right know."

Ainge said his availability for Saturday's game at Arkansas (7 p.m., ESPN2) wasn't the only concern. Another re-injury to the high ankle sprain he suffered against South Carolina could jeopardize the remainder of the season.

"That's definitely part of it," Ainge said. "I need to get it healthy. That's the number one thing right now."

Ainge hobbled off the field after just nine offensive plays on Saturday. Both ankles were injured as he was tackled from behind by LSU defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey.

Ainge said his left ankle also suffered a minor sprain, which shouldn't be a factor in his recovery. Ainge did not practice Monday and said his status is day-to-day.

Ainge stayed in uniform on Saturday and said he could have returned to the game, if needed, in a limited capacity. He said it was obvious that LSU's top-ranked defense made it a point to pressure the hobbled quarterback.

"You could tell by their demeanor and what they were trying to get done, that was the goal," he said, "to put pressure on me."

Ainge is handling this injury much differently than he handled turf toe last season. Ainge hid the injury last year, practiced and played through the pain, and his mechanics quickly faltered.

"That's one thing that I don't want to happen," he said. "It's not about toughness or going out there to prove anything. It's about winning football games.

"If I'm healthy enough to where I can go out there, protect myself and put us in the best situation to win, then I'm going to be out there."

If Ainge can't play, then redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton will get his first start at UT. Crompton played the majority of the game against LSU. As for Ainge, he'll spend as much time as possible in the training room.

"I'm not going to say I'm going to play or I'm not going to play," Ainge said, "because I don't know."

Major Mix-Up: Sophomore linebacker Jerod Mayo said a mix-up on UT's final defensive play allowed LSU to post the winning score in a 28-24 loss.

Mayo said there was supposed to be more pressure applied to LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

The Tigers scored with nine seconds left on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Russell to receiver Early Doucet.

"Some of the people in coverage weren't supposed to be in coverage," Mayo said. "(Defensive coordinator) Coach (John) Chavis, he knew what they were going to run. We just didn't execute on the field."

Perhaps mistakes should have been expected considering UT's defense was on the field for more than 41 minutes.

"We were out there it seemed like the whole time," junior linebacker Ryan Karl said. "The number of plays we played and how tough and physical they were, it felt like we just ran a marathon in a hailstorm."

Said Mayo, "We just had a couple of mental breakdowns. We were on the field a long time. I guess it takes a toll on your brain. We just didn't make the plays that we were there to make."

Karl said UT tried to bring more pressure via blitzing on LSU's final drive, but the Tigers had the answer.

"On several plays, their line and running backs were just picking us up," Karl said. "They were doing two-receiver routes and leaving eight men in to block.

"When you're bringing pressure and they're running two-man routes, they're going to have all of the time in the world."

Karl said UT had success against Russell when it didn't blitz, especially when the Vols disguised zone coverage and made it look like a blitzing, man-coverage attack.

"He got a little confused on some of them and threw it right to us because he thought he had to throw it quick," Karl said. "We made the right decisions. We just didn't make the plays."

Injury Report: UT's two linebackers who showed up for Monday's media session were walking wounded. Mayo said he still was feeling some of the repercussions from getting hit in the head Saturday.

"I'm just a little dizzy," the weakside linebacker said. "I'll be all right, though."

Mayo also had a swollen index finger on his left hand that was to undergo testing.

"I'm feeling all right," Mayo said. "I'm not feeling the best I could be. It was a tough loss. I'd be feeling a lot better if we won the game."

Karl had a brace on his left hand. He said he had a sprained thumb but should be fine.

Perspective: Despite losing to LSU, Karl said there still is reason to be proud of the 2006 season -- if the Vols can close out strong. UT (7-2) has three regular-season games and a bowl game remaining.

"That's a good season compared to last year," Karl said of the prospects of winning out. "People were thinking we weren't going to be that good this year. Having an 11-win season is pretty good for us."

For Kicks: Kory Hays' kick on Saturday won't just help his bank account. It will help the Vols as well. Hays -- a UT fan -- kicked a 35-yard field goal in a contest sponsored by UT, Food City, ConAgra and WIVK radio worth $100,000. Hays gets to keep $50,000, while the other half will be donated in his name to the Volunteer Athletic Scholarship Fund.