Herman Lathers may be back in pads at practice, but there's still no certainty he can put them on for a game.
The Tennessee linebacker went through his second workout since last season today at Haslam Field, again wearing a green, non-contact jersey and clearly energizing his teammates during individual periods.
But the return of Lathers to live action won't happen against Middle Tennessee State on Saturday (TV: FSN, 7 p.m.). There's still no decision on whether the junior will have a chance to come back this season, with the possibility of sitting out and applying for a medical redshirt on the table for him.
"I've thought about it a lot," Lathers said in his first interview since August. "Just going to see how this week and maybe next week goes and decide from there.
"I definitely feel like I want to play. Definitely I feel like my body isn't there where I can give 100 percent on the field right now."
Lathers is starting to run out of time to reach that point and contribute for the Vols (3-5, 0-5 SEC) as the regular season draws to a close. After taking on the Blue Raiders (2-5, 1-3 Sun Belt), UT has three scheduled games left to play -- which will be a factor in the final verdict for Lathers.
If healthy and ready to go, the Vols could use his play-making ability at linebacker, which blossomed during his sophomore season a year ago as he racked up 75 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. But the Vols don't appear to be counting on that happening at this point.
"Hopeful is a good word, but I don't expect him to (play this season)," UT coach Derek Dooley said. "We'll just see. We'll take it week to week."
For more on Lathers and the Vols as they gear up for Middle Tennessee, check back on http://www.govolsxtra.com, pick up Thursday's News Sentinel or follow@Vols_Beat on Twitter.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 19
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Red-shirt Herman
Be a part of the 2013 National Championship team!
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
If you're wondering what happened to Romo, he won't be back anymore. The final conversation went down a little something like this right here.....
At first, I was gonna whip out the jammy and flat-blast both of you
But I didn't wanna mess up this thirt-seven hundred dollar lynx coat
So instead I chilled -- That's right chilled
I called up the bank and took out every dime.
Than I cancelled all your credit cards...
You don't mess with Layla!
I gave you silk suits, blue diamonds and gucci handbags.
I gave you things you couldn't even pronounce!
But now I can't give you nothing but advice.
Cause you're still young, yeah, you're young.
And you're gonna find somebody like me one of these days . . .
Until then, you know what you gotta do?
You gotta get on outta here with that alley-cat-coat-wearing,
punch-bucket-shoe-wearing crumbcake I saw you with. Cause you
dismissed!
That's right, Silly rabbit, tricks are made for kids, don't you know
that. You without me is like corn flakes without the milk! This is my
world. You're just a squirrel trying to get a nut! Now get on outta
here. Scat!
Don't touch that coat...
volinJC writes:
What's this got to do with Herman Lathers and TN football?
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Swagger
volinJC writes:
Medical red shirt sounds like a good option. There are only 3 games left after MTSU (unless we get a bowl bid). Having a stud like Herman Lathers for two full seasons would be huge for our program, plus it would raise his NFL stock if he performs to his capabilities. It's his call, though, and I am pulling for him whatever he decides...
TommyJack writes:
Swagger's just another term for showing your arse.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Yeah, you hitting the nail on the head there
CrankE writes:
Take the redshirt. Why come back early, take the chance of reinjury and another setback?
Ayres_Hall writes:
He doesn't have a red-shirt to take. His only option (to play next year) is a medical hardship exception which the NCAA would need to grant.
blackoutcuffem1592 writes:
REDSHIRT him! There is no need for him to play this late into the season when he could earn a 6th year of eligibility. Even if he does come back and wastes the potential of a 6th year what impact would he really have?
Volunatic writes:
Now I'm going to be thinking about Layla Kiffin's arse for the rest of the evening.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
I call it "the parking ticket", 'cause it got f-i-n-e written all over it!
Prostar writes:
I wouldn't dare put him in against MTSU and probably wouldn't at all this year. Just go ahead and write it off and get him back for a full year next year when we will need him more.
harveyupdyketreehugger writes:
Are you referring to Lane?
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Haaaaaaaaa........now THAT is funny!!!
huntwithmojo writes:
i saw you and HIM, lol. got a good laugh out of this one!
CoverOrange writes:
It doesn't take 17-18 weeks for bones to heal. Must be some ligament or tendon or something damaged in addition to bone. In that case 17-18 weeks is not enough time to heal. And he may not be what he used to be.
CarlChilders writes:
He needs another year. It was a bad fracture and way too risky to use him now. I would like to see a healthy Herman, AJ, and Maggitt plugging it up in 2012.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Close...walking in the rain...'Big Orange' Juice Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZW1C...
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.