Vols' McNeil could have 'lengthy' absence, Jones says

Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) tackles Missouri tight end Sean Culkin during the Vols' football game against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) tackles Missouri tight end Sean Culkin during the Vols' football game against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee has another injured starter to replace in its secondary.

Senior safety LaDarrell McNeil, a three-year starter and one of the Volunteers' most experienced players, will be out for an extended period of time with a neck problem, coach Butch Jones said Thursday.

McNeil had been in a noncontact jersey in practice this week and sat out on Wednesday.

"This one came kind of out of nowhere," Jones said. "It's very, very unfortunate. I feel for him. He's had some neck instability there, so he's undergoing further examination. He will be out an extended period of time, and it could be a lengthy period of time.

"Everything is about the welfare of our student-athletes and making sure that there's life after football. I feel for him and feel for his family. He's a great representative of Tennessee football, has done everything that we ask and he's got a special place in my heart."

photo Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) is brought down Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 35-32. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

McNeil, who was a four-star recruit out of Dallas, started 31 of the last 32 games of his career. After struggling as a sophomore in 2013, he was one of the surprises of last season, when he started 12 games and finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles.

Either Todd Kelly Jr. or Evan Berry, two talented sophomores, likely will replace McNeil. Kelly started once and often rotated into games as a freshman last season, while Berry played primarily on special teams in 2014 and excelled during spring practice. Jones also mentioned walk-on Max Arnold as a player who could add depth.

The Vols expect freshman Stephen Griffin, who's missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury but resumed running this week, to return on Monday.

"Going into the season your safety position is a position of depth," Jones said, "and all of the sudden, in one day, your depth can go to being a strength to being something that you have to address."

Tennessee lost starting nickel cornerback Rashaan Gaulden to a season-ending foot injury last week.

Pig out of opener

Alton "Pig" Howard, Tennessee's leading receiver the past two seasons, will not play in the season opener against Bowling Green in Nashville as he serves a one-game suspension for violating team rules.

"This isn't something that just occurred," Jones explained. "This is something that dates back many months. To Alton's credit, I like the way he's approached training camp. He's had the best training camp that he's had since we've been here. I'm appreciative of his efforts, but he will miss the Bowling Green game."

The senior totaled all but 13 of his 111 career catches - the 13th-most in program history - in 2013 and 2014.

Two being scoped

Tennessee likely will go into its opener with six healthy wide receivers with junior Jason Croom and freshman Vincent Perry set to undergo knee scopes today.

Perry, who's performed well this month, likely will redshirt after suffering a torn meniscus Tuesday. He was on crutches with a large brace on his left leg Thursday. Jones said Perry hurt himself when he twisted his knee while cutting during a noncontact drill.

Croom has sat out most of the preseason as he continues to recover from dislocating his kneecap during bowl practices in December.

"It's just to kind of see how the healing process is going for him," Jones said. "I'll know a little bit more on exactly where Jason is following the conclusion of the surgery."

Jones said Tennessee's receivers have had one of their best weeks of practice this week. He singled out freshman ex-quarterback Jauan Jennings and Josh Malone for their play.

Jennings, Malone, Johnathon Johnson and Von Pearson will get as many plays as they can handle in the opener. Marquez North is working his way back from a knee injury. Josh Smith hasn't practiced this week due to a muscle strain, but Jones said he's expected to return Monday.

"It's a limited group," Jones said. "but it's an opportunity to step up and insert your will on this football team."

Williams cleared

On a day of bad news, the resolution of Preston Williams' situation was a bright spot.

The freshman was cleared Thursday afternoon, 17 days after he had to retake his standardized test. The NCAA Eligibility Center flagged his score in late July, which brought his eligibility into question. The Vols received word Thursday that he'd been declared eligible.

Williams is still working his way back from a serious knee injury he suffered late in his senior year of high school, so it's unclear how soon the five-star recruit will be able to help the Vols.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com

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