McNeil back at practice, fighting through damage to knee

• C Josh McNeil (GoVolsXtra audio)
• OL Cody Pope(GoVolsXtra audio)
• Running backs coach Eddie Gran (GoVolsXtra audio)
• LB Nick Reveiz(GoVolsXtra audio)
• RB David Oku (GoVolsXtra audio)

Hear more audio

Reports of Josh McNeil’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.

The Tennessee center was back on the practice field Wednesday just two weeks after exploratory surgery revealed damage in his left knee that coach Lane Kiffin previously said could end the senior’s football career.

During Wednesday’s practice, McNeil did some hitting — mostly against blocking sleds — and some live pass set drills.

“It felt really good,” McNeil said of his bum left knee. “so I’ll be back at practice tomorrow doing everything.”

Kiffin said the Vols will be cautious with McNeil.

“Josh did some stuff today over there on the sleds,” Kiffin said. “He’s come back a lot quicker than anticipated. But we’ll see how he responds. He’ll be sore tomorrow. We’ll continue to bring him along gradually. Want to make sure we don’t re-injure it.”

Gerald Jones also practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, meaning the experienced receiver will likely be available to play on Saturday against UCLA (TV: ESPN, 4 p.m.).

“He would be a guy that could play without even practicing,” Kiffin said.

Jones was originally thought to be out until later this month after suffering a high ankle sprain in preseason camp.

Kiffin said the on-field competition helps empty the training room.

“It gets rid of superstar mentality and superstar status,” he said. “When you know that if you sit out, there’s a good chance someone takes your spot, I promise you get healthy faster.

“A lot of getting healthy is in your mind.”

Kiffin mentioned receiver Denarius Moore as a prime example. Moore was expected to miss at least the first two games as he recovered from off-season surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. Instead, Moore played last week in the season opener against Western Kentucky.

Kiffin said UT’s staff doesn’t tell players how long they’ll be out; they push them to return as soon as possible.

McNeil, who hopes to be available against UCLA but will likely require longer to recover, could prove valuable. His replacement, Cody Sullins, was banged up on Wednesday. That led to backup Cody Pope getting practice snaps at left guard, replacing senior Jacques McClendon who slid to center.

McNeil started 35 consecutive games at center before his injury.

Pope couldn’t even shake hands with reporters following practice after suffering a hand injury against Western Kentucky game.

“I don’t even care about X-raying it right now,” the sophomore said. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just a jammed finger or something.”

McNeil’s injury is much more serious. He’ll undergo surgery whenever he finally decides to hang up his cleats. McNeil will have his meniscus replaced and a bone graph to undo the damage that football has done.

“I’m bone on bone,” McNeil said referring to his left knee joint, which is void of tissue to cushion between the upper and lower leg. “I’ve worn a hole in there. Those are two really, really major surgeries.”

The rehabilitation, McNeil said, will take months just to walk normally and lead a normal life. He admitted that he believed his career was done when he received the initial diagnosis earlier this month.

“In my head I was thinking maybe it would be better to have this surgery just to move on with my life,” he said.

McNeil changed his mind after he missed time with his teammates, the Vol Walk and Saturday’s 63-7 rout of Western Kentucky.

“That’s all it took,” McNeil said. “I set my mind to where I have to come back.”

McNeil said he’s not surprised that he’s returned before doctors predicted. After undergoing a handful of surgeries during his UT career, he’s seen his body repeatedly heal quickly.

McNeil will still have to prove he can endure the pain that is sure to come as he fights his way back onto the field. That, however, doesn’t compare with the emotional anguish he was dealing with when he thought football was no longer a part of his life.

“You couldn’t get any lower,” he said. “You couldn’t.”

Austin Ward contributed to this report.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!