Tennessee started Saturday’s game against South Carolina with at least five starters nursing some sort of injury. After a 27-6 loss to the Gamecocks, that number continues to grow.
The latest additions to a laundry list of injured players are offensive tackle Ramon Foster and tailback Montario Hardesty.
Foster left after suffering a concussion, while Hardesty did not play aside from a few special teams snaps against the Gamecocks because of an undisclosed leg injury.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Hardesty, who has struggled throughout his career with injuries, will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of his injury.
Hardesty’s status for Saturday’s homecoming game against Wyoming (TV: Pay-per-view, 1 p.m.) is uncertain.
“We’re going to give him another leg scan Monday just to see if something’s going on like he had before, well, just to see what it is,” Fulmer said.
Foster, who has started 22 consecutive games, will continue to be evaluated this week, although Fulmer said he was doing better Sunday.
Tailback Arian Foster also suffered a thigh bruise, but should be fine for Saturday, Fulmer said.
Fulmer also said defensive end Wes Brown has been playing all season with a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.
“Playing is not going to hurt it further, quite likely,” Fulmer said. “It’ll just have to be taken care of (with surgery) in the offseason.”
Guard Anthony Parker (ankle), defensive tackle Dan Williams (ankle), wide receiver Gerald Jones (ankle), defensive tackle Walter Fisher (toe), linebacker Ellix Wilson (ankle) and linebacker Rico McCoy (shoulder) all played despite injury against the Gamecocks and should be available against Wyoming, Fulmer said.
“Those guys all had very limited practice but played in the game,” Fulmer said. “It doesn’t look like they’re going to be set back from that. They’ll be available and hopefully better as we go into this next one.”
Still Stephens: Despite playing Jonathan Crompton for all but one play in the second quarter Saturday, Fulmer said that quarterback Nick Stephens remains UT’s starter.
Stephens was pulled after throwing his first career interception, which was returned 68 yards for a touchdown.
“Right now, I think Nick is the guy, but shoot, we’re looking at anything,” Fulmer said. “Nick and Jon both had their opportunities, and Nick had some good plays in the game.”
Waiting on Vinson: Fulmer said he would have word today on the availability of sophomore cornerback Brent Vinson, who was suspended last week for a violation of team rules.
Vinson was not at practice Sunday to attend a play for a class, Fulmer said.
Receiver Josh Briscoe and McCoy also missed practice for class obligations.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 14
BSweet writes:
I hate for anyone to be hurt, but I hope this means Creer sees more time. Overall, I think he's more talented than Foster.
VOLorado writes:
oh great, now we're doomed.
wait... never mind
andy112382#209793 writes:
Might as well play the younger guys now, shouldn't we? Seniors get to play the first qtr to 'show off' for the nfl - though not many of those moments this season - and play nothing but freshmen, sophmores and juniors for the rest of the game.....whats the worse that could happen?
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
How many years are we away from a National Championship? And can Fulmer get the kids and coaches together to do it? Can we compete against the coaches in the SEc with any coach? Why not let Fulmer see what he can do with the incoming class and have 3 more years to do it? Do you really think Fulmer's dogging it since he got his raise? What will it take to raise this team's chemisty away from the boos and people wanting to fire their coach? Don't people know that they are really treating these athletes like pieces of meat? I would give up all of you fire Fulmer fans , you people are just like the crowd who is for the troops and agaisnt the war. So who do you really want to run the ball? What do you know about real talent? Ever complimented anyone lately?
DenmarkVol writes:
TOTALLY agree, Andy. Clear the benches. Let the 2s and 3s (and 4s) play almost all of the game.
Tell 'em to go out and win the game, because the 1s aren't getting it done.
What do we have to lose and what do we have to gain?
DenmarkVol writes:
Certainly respect what you write, WLTV, but I'm one who disagrees with giving Coach Fulmer more time.
I think you'll find your view is very much in the minority among the vocal quarters of the Vol Nation.
eutefan writes:
Obviously, you have misread the article... it is a lineman, Ramon Foster, that is hurt, not running back Arian Foster.
Of course, you new that, didn't you?
eutefan writes:
Edit: Of course, you knew that, didn't you?
WaltGoVols writes:
"Foster, who has started 22 consecutive games, will continue to be evaluated this week, although Fulmer said he was doing better Sunday.
Tailback Arian Foster also suffered a thigh bruise, but should be fine for Saturday, Fulmer said."
A little issue with editing.
Walt
DwightShrute writes:
The worst thing that could happen(for Fulmer) is that we all realize that the 2's and 3's are actually better than the 1's and have been sitting on the bench all year. i think that would snap the last pubic hair that Fulmer is hanging by.
blitzshoot writes:
Maybe if they had an offensive line that could halfway block it would not be so bad.
WVVOLFAN writes:
i'm not big on throwing the baby out with the bath water. if we play the 2nd & 3rds and get blown out by vandy and kenlucky, then you guys will upset about that. i'm all for a coaching change, but you don't give up on the season because things are going bad. i don't see other teams doing that. why should we?
beavbullvol writes:
A couple novel ideas:
1. Scrap the flipping of the line. Go back to basic assignment football
2. Give BJ Coleman a shot (could he possibly do worse?)
3. If it is accurate we have over 40 sets, why not play the last 3 games with 10 sets (see Alabama). That way, we have a chance to execute a few plays right over the course of a game.
4. Hire Mike Leach or Brian Kelly at seasons conclusion.
jasonn1970 writes:
I think if the Vols lose a 7th game they should then concentrate on playing the younger guys. 6-6 and a minor bowl is still a possibility. And it would allow Fulmer to end his UT reign on a positive note.
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