Tailback Arian Foster limped into Tennessee's weekly media session Tuesday with a protective boot on his sprained left ankle. By his account, the situation could have been much worse.

In his first public comments since his injury in last Saturday's game against Air Force, the sophomore admitted he thought his season was over. UT's starting tailback felt a "pop" and despair quickly set in.

"At first, I was like all that for nothing," Foster said as he recalled his recovery from offseason shoulder and knee surgeries. "That was the first thought that ran through my head."

Fortunately for Foster, X-rays showed no fracture. His return would be measured in days, not weeks.

On Monday, Foster said he could barely walk. Then, there was some improvement. Foster was able to jog on Tuesday but couldn't practice.

"It's a matter of rehabilitating," Foster said.

Foster plans on playing Saturday night against Florida.

"It's Florida," Foster said. "I'm not (going to be) careful at all ... I feel pretty confident I'll be ready to play on Saturday."

Conventional wisdom isn't so optimistic. Foster's availability could hinge on whether or not he can practice this week. UT's coaches likely wouldn't let him play without practicing.

"I don't know if I have that much clout yet," Foster said.

Backup tailback Montario Hardesty said he doesn't feel any added pressure just because Foster is on the sideline.

The sophomore said he's ready to carry as much of the load as need be if Foster is limited or can't play on Saturday. So how many carries can Hardesty's surgically repaired right knee handle?

"I'm comfortable with as many as I can get," he said. "I don't want to make any predictions but as many as I can get to help the team out, I'd be fine with that."

Motivation For Morley?: Demetrice Morley isn't approaching the Florida game any different just because he was committed to the Gators before signing with UT.

"It's just another game," the sophomore defensive back said. "Even though I'm from Florida that doesn't mean anything."

Morley's response was a bit surprising considering his first start at UT will come against former high school competitors and recruiting acquaintances.

Morley, however, didn't seem worried about old friends. He's more concerned about a current one. Morley said he nearly cried when he visited cornerback Inky Johnson in the hospital on Monday.

Johnson suffered serious injuries to his right shoulder area after a violent collision in the Air Force game. Johnson is out for the season meaning UT will slide former safety Jonathan Hefney to cornerback and Morley will start at free safety in Hefney's place.

"We've got to do this for Inky," Morley said of playing Florida. "He's one of the starters in the group. He's a big part of the team. We're going to miss him. We're going to work hard for him."

Johnson is expected to be released from UT Medical Center later this week. Whether or not Johnson can return to play football is unknown.

Mayo's Take: Linebacker Jarod Mayo said Florida hasn't seen a defense as aggressive as UT this season. The Gators easily beat Central Florida and Southern Miss to open 2006.

One of Mayo's first targets will be Florida's offensive line, which has three new starters this season.

"They're not really proven yet, but they're pretty good players," the sophomore said. "I watched the first two games and they got the job done but we're going to try to take advantage of that (inexperience)."

Mayo said UT's defense could still be aggressive despite a reshuffled secondary. The lineup change might mean fewer defensive backs on the field in passing situations. That means UT's linebackers could play more snaps in passing situations.

"We definitely will (be on the field more)," Mayo said. "The linebackers, we're taking it on our shoulders with those injuries to take a leadership role. If we have to be out there every play, we will."

Mayo is traditionally UT's lone linebacker in the dime, UT's six defensive back package. Junior Ryan Karl stays on the field with Mayo in the nickel, or five defensive back package.

Sly Slade: UT defensive backs coach Larry Slade hinted that UT might have more than one way to reshuffle their secondary.

"You may see some other things out there," Slade said with a smile. "Whatever we need to do to get the job done, we're certainly going to do it."

UT announced on Monday that Hefney would slide to cornerback in place of Johnson.

In order to field nickel and dime packages, coaches will likely have to turn to inexperienced players. Ricardo Kemp and Antonio Wardlow top the list.

"They have improved a great deal," Slade said of the two redshirt freshmen. "They have a sense of urgency about getting better."

Role Reversal: Offensive lineman David Ligon said UT's offense is prepared to help UT's defense this season if need be.

"We know as an offense that maybe we'll have to carry the load like the defense did last year," the senior said.

Ligon knows he'll have an extremely tough assignment this week. Florida defensive tackle Ray McDonald played well against UT in 2004. He was also a consistent force against the Vols last season before suffering a knee injury.

"McDonald is extremely quick," Ligon said. "He has great feet. One of his best moves is the spin move. You really have to keep separation on him and keep your hands up."

Shining Bright: UT receivers coach Trooper Taylor said Austin Rogers' confidence has grown since securing his first college start against Air Force last week. Still, there is room for improvement for the sophomore receiver.

"He has a hard time making people miss," Taylor said with a chuckle. "He will catch it and he will plant a tree."

The speedy Rogers, who is nicknamed Sunshine, has a quick retort to such criticism.

"He said 'My move is all speed coach,' " Taylor said, recalling the Nashville native's comeback.

Injury Report: Senior defensive lineman Turk McBride did not practice on Tuesday for an unspecified reason.

Ligon returned to practice after a sore right leg prevented him from participating on Monday. Ligon was sporting a softball-size bruise on his shin earlier in the day. He suffered the ailment against Air Force.

Sophomore offensive lineman Ramon Foster (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Dan Williams (ankle) did not practice.

Captains: UT's senior game captains for the Florida game will be McBride, senior defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin, offensive tackle Arron Sears, defensive back Antwan Stewart and receiver Jayson Swain.