Receiving adjustments

KNOXVILLE -- Injuries to key receivers are forcing adjustments in the University of Tennessee offense.

GERALD JONES

Last year: Jones, who hasn't been 100 percent healthy since arriving on campus two years ago, had 449 total yards as a wide receiver and special-package quarterback.

Injury: A high ankle sprain suffered in last weekend's scrimmage will force the junior to miss no fewer than three weeks, and maybe more than six weeks.

Replacements: Many would consider Nu'Keese Richardson the natural replacement here, because the diminutive, dynamic freshman has Jones-like versatility -- down to his quarterback abilities. But fellow freshman Marsalis Teague actually has a skills set and frame more similar to Jones, so he also will may help fill that void. Big-bodied upperclassmen Quintin Hancock and Brandon Warren likely will see some of the third-down passes originally planned for Jones, a player not likely to be fully replaced by any one teammate.

DENARIUS MOORE

Last year: Moore emerged as the fledgling offense's occasional lifeline, with 271 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 receptions. That was a whopping 24.6 yards per catch.

Injury: Moore fractured his foot this summer and just recently removed his walking boot. Optimists in the UT complex hope the speedy Texan will return for the Sept. 19 game at Florida, but nothing is certain.

Replacements: Richardson, the team's fastest healthy receiver, has made more big gains in the downfield passing game than some expected for a player so vertically challenged (he's about 5-foot-8). Freshman Zach Rogers, who won multiple state sprint titles at Nashville's Lipscomb High School, also will be asked to fly downfield at times.

AUSTIN ROGERS

Last year: Rogers' 180 yards and zero touchdowns on 14 receptions last season were one of the team's biggest disappointments, but his 891 career yards on 76 catches shouldn't be discounted.

Injury: Rogers, Zach's older brother, tore his ACL this summer, prematurely ending his fifth-year senior season -- and possibly his college career, if the NCAA doesn't award him a sixth season of eligibility.

Replacements: None of UT's healthy pass catchers have Rogers' SEC experience, but upperclassmen tight ends Jeff Cottam and Luke Stocker, as well as fullbacks Kevin Cooper and Austin Johnson, have seen their fair share. Look for all four to feature prominently in a more controlled passing game than coaches originally planned.