Some Vols battle through injuries

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer presented an offer to his injury-plagued defensive unit.

“There were a half dozen kids who could have taken the night off, and all they had to do was say the word,” Fulmer said following Saturday night’s 27-6 loss to South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium.

“But they fought to get themselves back out there for their team and teammates and played hard.”

Fulmer pegged defensive tackle Dan Williams as “doubtful” for the game earlier in the week.

But Williams, who injured his ankle in last week’s loss to Alabama after what Fulmer called an “ugly-looking block,” played anyway, despite some lingering physical limitations.

“Dan was barely walking,” defensive end Robert Ayers said.

Even so, Williams recorded four tackles and helped in a tackle for a loss.

Defensive end Wes Brown continued to battle a sore knee Saturday but recorded a sack in the third quarter. Defensive tackle Walter Fisher, who has been suffering from a toe injury, recorded a tackle as well.

“All you can do is respect guys like that,” said Ayers, who played some defensive tackle to aid the depleted middle. “They have great heart and they’re going to continue to lay it on the line for this program.”

“I know the passion they have for this game. I know they would do anything to come out here and play. And that’s what they did.”

For Brown, playing in spite of the pain was only natural.

“Like I told my teammates, they deserve everything I’ve got to give them, no matter what the record or the outcome,” Brown said. “I’m going to give 100 percent for this team and this program. I just had to dig down and bite my lip and get after it.”

Defensive coordinator John Chavis lauded the commitment.

“It tells you this team hasn’t thrown the towel in,” Chavis said. “That’s what you expect. These guys have been good character guys all along. ... I’m proud of the effort we got.”

Even with the injuries, Tennessee held South Carolina to 101 yards rushing.

“Our guys sucked it up and came out and played hard,” Chavis said. “We had four or five that we didn’t know if they would play, and they did.”

Tennessee’s offense wasn’t completely healthy, either.

Gerald Jones, who suffered an ankle injury on a punt return two weeks ago against Mississippi State, caught two passes for 13 yards in the first half Saturday night. Jones was shut down in the second half.

The sophomore was sidelined for Tennessee’s 29-9 loss to Alabama.

Fulmer said Jones was “functional” after Thursday’s practice.