Ankle deep for Tide

Two offensive starters are questionable for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Alabama, while key defensive tackle Walter Fisher is probable.

The availability of guard Anthony Parker and wide receiver Gerald Jones is uncertain after each sustained a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter of UT’s 34-3 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night.

Parker, a preseason All-SEC and All-American selection by several publications, has started the last 20 games in which he has played and 33 games overall.

“We’ve got to get Cory Sullins and Jarrod Shaw and everybody else up to speed to get those guys ready,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday night. “Right now, we’ve played with five or six guys — most people do, actually, six or seven — cross your fingers and hope nobody gets hurt in the ballgame.”

Without Parker, junior Jacques McClendon stepped in at guard after Vladimir Richard earned his first career start at guard.

UT stayed with the same five players on the line from the time of Parker’s injury until its final two offensive plays of the game.

Fulmer also said the Vols will continue with more contact work in practice this week, much like it did to prepare for the Bulldogs.

“I think that’s how you need to practice,” offensive coordinator Clawson said following the game Saturday. “I really think that if you’re going to be a physical football team, at times your practice has to be physical.”

Jones, meanwhile, has started all seven games this season and became UT’s punt returner after the season-opener at UCLA. He was injured returning a punt.

Entering Saturday’s game, Jones was UT’s leading receiver with 19 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He also occassionaly lines up at quarterback in the G-Gun package.

Fulmer said, “A couple of other guys” have run the same package in practice, including safety Eric Berry.

“Anytime you lose a good player, whether it’s him (Jones) or Parker or not having Walter Fisher out there, it makes a difference,” Fulmer said. “But those guys stepped up and did a good job in his absence. We’re hopeful he’ll (Jones) be back for this weekend, but we’ll see.”

Fisher missed Saturday’s game after sustaining a toe injury the week before against Georgia.

His absence meant more snaps for Dan Williams and Demonte’ Bolden at defensive tackle. Converted end Andre Mathis played early and made a career-high four tackles against the Bulldogs.

No Cody: Alabama’s mammoth nose tackle — 6-foot-5, 365-pound Terrence Cody — is expected to miss Saturday’s game after suffering a knee injury in the Crimson Tide’s victory over Ole Miss.

Fulmer said he didn’t think Alabama would drop off much defensively without its run-stopping tackle.

“I don’t know how much it would change them, if at all,” Fulmer said. “He’s certainly a guy that you have to worry about if he’s in there. But they’ve got a bunch of those guys.”

Redshirt freshman Josh Chapman, who has rotated with Cody all season, will likely start at nose tackle.

Moore Like a Starter: Sophomore receiver Denarius Moore has caught a pass for 45 yards or longer in each of UT’s last three games.

Despite coming off the bench, Fulmer said he considers Moore, who ranks third on the team with 195 receiving yards, a starter.

“He’s playing with great energy and confidence right now,” Fulmer said. “We’re awful proud of how he’s approached the game.”

Foster ‘Just Fine’: Fulmer praised tailback Arian Foster, who rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries against Mississippi State, including UT’s long rush of 19 yards.

“Arian had some nice plays in the ballgame,” Fulmer said. “A couple nice runs and he did did a really good job route-running and pass-protecting. I think Arian’s doing just fine.”

Fulmer also said UT’s tailback rotation — with Foster starting followed by Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer entering the game on successive series — would remain the plan this week against Alabama.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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