Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge declared Wednesday he would be ready for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

"I'll be out there whether it hurts or not," Ainge said of his sore right ankle.

Gone is the protective boot that became a regular part of Ainge's wardrobe the past two weeks. No longer is Ainge a spectator at practice; he's been a full-fledged participant.

"He's not missed anything," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He's done all the drills. I expect him to be just fine."

Still, Ainge admits he isn't completely recovered from the high ankle sprain he suffered at South Carolina on Oct. 28 and re-injured against LSU a week later. He did not play against Arkansas last Saturday, allowing freshman Jonathan Crompton to make his first collegiate start.

"I'm a step slow," Ainge said. "I don't have the same quickness and same foot speed as usual. But I have more than enough."

One of the main concerns throughout Ainge's rehabilitation has been his ability to push off the injured, back leg while throwing.

"It doesn't hurt every time I throw," he said. "It's getting a lot better."

Injury Report: Running back LaMarcus Coker said he's back to 98 percent after suffering a right knee injury against Alabama on Oct. 21 that forced him to miss two games. The redshirt freshman played against Arkansas and has seen improvement since.

"My knee hasn't been as sore this week," Coker said. "I haven't missed any practice at all."

Coker said the knee brace he is forced to wear tends to limit his running motion, which could limit his speed. The decision whether or not to wear the brace is up to UT's training staff.

"They're still debating on whether I'm going to wear it this week or not," Coker said.

Needless to say, Coker isn't too fond of the brace.

"I'm against it," he said. "If that's what I've got to do to play, then strap it up."

Leading receiver Robert Meachem hasn't missed a drill this week. The sophomore suffered a slightly sprained ankle against Arkansas during an onside kick attempt on UT's kickoff return team.

However, Meachem refuses to give up his various roles on special teams.

"I'm not going to give it up," Meachem said. "Whatever helps the team is what I'm going to do."

Receiver Jayson Swain said he doesn't expect to be 100 percent until UT's bowl game. He is still recovering from an ankle injury. Swain said the injury affects his acceleration and cutting ability.

"It just takes time," the senior said.

Up Front Update: Sophomore right guard Anthony Parker returned to practice. He had been sidelined since Monday with a head injury.

"He's all right," Fulmer said. "He looks like he's better."

Parker is expected to start this week. However, Fulmer said freshman Jacques McClendon will play more snaps than usual at right guard, given his play in Parker's absence.

"Parker better watch out," Fulmer said.

Coker said he's been impressed with McClendon.

"I think he'll be a good run blocker," Coker said. "He's got a little quickness to him so I think he'll be able to pull and come on around and surprise the (line)backers.

"I'm excited about running behind Jacques. I think he'll come in and fill the position well -- won't lose a step."

Practice Report: Fulmer was fired up after practice, which was held indoors because of rain.

"I'm excited," he said. "I don't think there's anyway you can't be when you get around the young guys that have worked their tails off -- or the seniors for that matter.

"I'm excited about finishing this season with an exclamation point. That's exactly what we intend to do."

Back-up Combo: Sophomore Robert Ayers and redshirt freshman Wes Brown will likely split time Saturday in place of junior Antonio Reynolds, who hasn't practiced this week and isn't expected to play because of a neck sprain.

"Anytime coach talks about getting an opportunity to play more or start, of course you're going to go out and try to prove they can trust you," Brown said.

Brown and Ayers have both played in all ten games this season but haven't started a game.

"You want to practice harder and prove to the coaches that you're capable of holding up your end," Ayers said of the opportunity.

Matchups: Defensive backs coach Larry Slade said UT has used senior cornerback Jonathan Wade against its recent opponents' best receiver. Slade wouldn't confirm that would happen this week.

"We've done that but I'm not certain we will (continue to) do that," he said.