Vols healthier despite key injuries

Injuries were a pertinent topic of conversation in Lane Kiffin's first press conference of the season on Tuesday. Center Josh McNeil topped off the discussion.

"There's a good chance that Josh won't be playing for us and probably won't play football ever again unfortunately," Kiffin said. "If that's the case, we've been excited to be around Josh. It's a big blow to us . . . to lose somebody like that."

McNeil underwent arthroscopic surgery last week and could soon undergo another, more extensive procedure, Kiffin said.

Kiffin said losing McNeil's leadership was almost as difficult to overcome as his 35 starts worth of experience.

"To lose him has been very difficult for us to deal with from a football standpoint but also from a mental standpoint," Kiffin said of McNeil, who was competing with fellow senior Cody Sullins for a starting job.

Kiffin also offered a grim assessment of receiver Gerald Jones' recovery from a high ankle sprain suffered in preseason camp.

"He's not close," Kiffin said. "It would not be the next couple of games. The hope would be Florida (on Sept. 19) but there is nothing saying he's going to be back by then."

Jones, however, looked nimble as he danced during practice on Tuesday. The junior did not participate, however, and was wearing a brace and sleeve on his left ankle.

Tauren Poole was in pads Tuesday but seemed limited. The sophomore tailback suffered a concussion Saturday in UT's kicking scrimmage.

Sophomore tight end Ben Bartholomew is questionable for Saturday's game with a high ankle sprain, Kiffin said.

Despite those injuries, the Vols have gotten healthier overall. Defensive end Chris Walker (knee) has returned to practice after taking much of last week off at the behest of coaches.

"They really did identify the guys that needed it," Walker said of the rest. "That was something that was good for me."

Offensive guard Vladimir Richard was wearing a boot on his left ankle but said he's fine and will play Saturday.

"Fashion statement," the senior said when asked about the brace. "I practiced yesterday and I will be practicing today."

Defensive tackle Wes Brown said he's not sure how much he'll be able to play this fall. Kiffin said the Vols will have a plan in place to limit Brown's snaps with frequent substitutions.

"Right now I feel really good," the senior said. "I'm going to be sore. I'm going to ache. But right now I can't complain. I feel great right now.

"They've really taken care of me (in preseason camp) but they got me the reps I really needed."

Rising Rebel: Kiffin said he has no plans to rotate UT's offensive linemen - except for right tackle where freshman Aaron Douglas and Jerrod Shaw are competing. Kiffin said he's unsure which will start on Saturday. Both were bracketed as starters late last week.

"That is still changing," Kiffin said. "That depth chart was made before our last preseason game. I couldn't even tell you what the depth chart is for kickoff because there is still practice to go."

Shaw seemed to have the position locked down until the latter stages of preseason camp when Douglas made a push.

"I think he's had a great camp," Kiffin said of Douglas, a former Maryville High School star. "I think he's a great run(-blocking) player. I think he has a ways to go as a pass(-blocking) player but I'm really excited about his development."

Kiffin said Douglas will play Saturday and could still start.

"They're different players," Kiffin said of Douglas and Shaw, "but they're very close right now."

Kiffin said Douglas has great potential thanks to his athleticism. Douglas played defensive end and tight end in high school and at UT before Kiffin and staff moved him to tackle before spring practice.

Kiffin said that's the mold he prefers to follow with offensive tackles because smaller, more athletic tight ends tend to have better hands and feet once they gain weight.

"He's what you want," Kiffin said. "I think he's going to be a fantastic player for us at some point. That could be Saturday and it could be a year from now. I don't know."

Late-Night Bonding: Kiffin said UT's defensive coaches were on the field past 10:30 p.m. Monday night drawing up new plays.

"As they say, 'Take it to the grass.' " Kiffin said.

Kiffin said his father, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, linebacker coach Lance Thompson and Willie Mack Garza have come together over the off-season.

"They've really jelled together," Lane Kiffin said. "It's taken a long time."

That wasn't a guarantee, Kiffin added.

"Even though they've all had great success in different areas, they've never worked together," Kiffin said. "It's just neat to see them come together."

Not Nuked: Kiffin said some bobbled punt returns in practice by receiver Nu'Keese Richardson hasn't shaken anyone's confidence in the freshman.

"You can't work through it if you don't play him," Kiffin said. "So if we would have been sitting him, he would be worse right now.

"You've got to get it out of your system at some point and we think we're getting it out of his system now."

Kiffin Cuts: Kiffin said he expects to play nine defensive linemen in the course of Saturday's game . . . Kiffin said he is unsure how he will distribute snaps for UT's tailbacks. Kiffin said that will depend on how the freshmen, Bryce Brown and David Oku, react in their first college game.