Cornerback Brent Vinson and defensive tackle Donald Langley won't be a part of Tennessee's travel squad for the UCLA game Monday night,.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said following Monday's practice on Haslam Field that the suspensions stem from a violation of UT's class- attendance policy.

The punishment is in accordance with an SEC mandate that went into effect last fall in which three unexcused class absences result in a suspension from 10 percent of that season's athletic competition.

The announcement provides some clarification on Vinson, who was buried on UT's depth chart during preseason camp despite a standout freshman season in 2007 and the reputation as being one of the best athletes on the team.

Langley was one of the players expected to fill the void left when defensive tackle Chase Nelson suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month.

Fulmer said both could return to play against UAB on Sept. 13, provided they uphold their academic standing.

Still Waiting: Linebacker Gerald Williams' academic situation is still on hold. The transfer missed his fourth straight practice awaiting academic clearance.

The hoopla is surrounding an online class that Williams took at UT to complete his junior college requirements. The Vols are waiting on the certification paper work to be completed and returned.

This isn't the first time Williams has had to wait to play for UT. He signed to be a Vol in 2005 and has since taken a year off to focus on academics, gone to prep school and attended junior college.

Close friend Vladimir Richard said Williams is keeping his spirits up despite the tough situation.

"He's just being patient," Richard said. "Everything is pretty much clear. We're just waiting on that paperwork to be sent over."

Richard said Williams has stayed upbeat thanks to his play before being sidelined. Following UT's Aug. 16 scrimmage, tape study revealed Williams registered eight tackles.

"He's staying real positive right now and I'm helping him with that," Richard said. "He's not letting all this stress him out."

Missing the entire season seems unlikely, yet Fulmer admitted that every day Williams isn't on the field, it gets more disconcerting.

Despite being less experienced in UT's system than senior starter Ellix Wilson and sophomore backup Nick Reveiz, Williams has shown enough in preseason camp that Fulmer said he'd make the trip to UCLA as long as he's eligible.

"He's just a big, physical presence in the middle there," Fulmer said. "When he tackles you, they go down. He could definitely impact our football team and I'm hopeful that it all works out."

Fulmer said he hoped to hear news on Williams' case any day.

In Action: Freshman fullback Austin Johnson (foot/ankle) and sophomore defensive end Chris Walker (groin) returned to practice after missing last week with minor injuries. Both are expected to be available for the opener.

"It was really tough because I felt like I was getting to that point where I was game ready," Walker said of his injury.

Walker said he could have practiced last week but agreed that taking the more conservative route was the right choice.

Fulmer said freshman tight end Aaron Douglas should be able to help UT soon. Douglas has responded well in practice, overcoming offseason shoulder surgery to give the Vols depth at a position that is without Jeff Cottam, who underwent back surgery last week.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.