Tennessee will be without two defensive starters Saturday night against Florida — as well as for the rest of the season.

All-SEC defensive tackle Justin Harrell and cornerback Inky Johnson are done for the year after suffering injuries in Tennessee’s 31-30 victory over Air Force on Saturday night.

Johnson was still hospitalized at UT Medical Center on Sunday after undergoing surgery to repair blood vessels resulting from a "severe injury to his right upper extremity," head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh said in a statement released Sunday night.

Johnson suffered the injury when he collided with Air Force receiver Justin Handley late in the fourth quarter near the Falcons' sideline.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior was knocked unconscious on the play and carted off the field before being taken to UT Medical Center by ambulance.

"He underwent surgery to repair blood vessels and will require further surgery for a nerve injury in the future," McVeigh said in the release. "The family has requested that the media and fans respect his privacy during this time."

Johnson was seen moving his extremities and pumped his fist to the crowd as he was taken off the field.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Harrell, who bypassed the NFL draft to return for his senior season, suffered a ruptured biceps tendon in his left arm that will require surgery to repair.

"He will not return to play this season," McVeigh said. "It is anticipated that he will make a full recovery."

Harrell’s father, Edgar, said Sunday that a date for surgery had not been scheduled.

The Vols did receive good news on tailback Arian Foster, who did not return to Saturday's game after leaving with a sprained ankle in the second quarter.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday he expects Foster, as well as backup guard Ramon Foster to be back at practice this week.

The loss of Harrell and Johnson will have a significant impact on the Vols’ defense, which must get ready for No. 7 Florida’s visit to Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is 8 p.m. (WVLT-TV). Both teams are 2-0 heading into their SEC opener.

Turk McBride, who moved from tackle to start at end during fall camp, will likely move back inside to replace Harrell.

McBride had nine tackles in each of UT’s games, and moved to tackle Saturday after Harrell went out in the third quarter.

"I thought he did fine job," Fulmer said of McBride’s performance against Air Force. "(Air Force’s offense) is such a different kind of offense, it makes him have to stay right in there and tackle the dive back, and he did all right with that. There weren’t a lot of opportunities to rush the passer, which is more his forte."

Junior J.T. Mapu, in his first season back from a two-year Mormon mission, also is an option at tackle.

Mapu has played about 20 snaps in each game.

Matt McGlothlin has started the first two games at tackle alongside Harrell.

The Vols will look for continued improvement from freshman Dan Williams and sophomore Demonte’ Bolden for added depth.

Fulmer said he was encouraged by Bolden’s two-tackle performance Saturday.

True freshman Chase Nelson moved from end to tackle last week.

Juniors Xavier Mitchell and Robert Ayres could help replace McBride at left end.

Mitchell recorded a career-high three tackles Saturday, including his tackle for a loss to stop Air Force’s two-point conversion run late in the fourth quarter.

The Vols’ secondary, already depleted with the loss of key reserve Roshaun Fellows (torn pectoral muscle), will undergo changes as well.

Backup safety Demetrice Morley, who filled in for Johnson on Saturday, is the most-likely candidate to start at cornerback.

Fulmer said that starting safeties Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart also could see time at corner. Each started at corner before moving to safety.

Backup cornerbacks Antonio Gaines and Ricardo Kemp also will play, Fulmer said.

"We’re in the process of looking at that and discussing that as a staff," Fulmer said. "They’ve got all three of those options, and they’ve all played corner before. We’ve got the two young guys who will get their opportunities as well.

"We’re thin back there a little bit. Again, there’s a couple of young guys that need to step up now, just as Inky Johnson did last year when Jason Allen went out."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.