Tennessee safety LaDarrell McNeil plays catch with a teammate during the Vols' practice at Haslam Field on Sept. 8, 2015.KNOXVILLE -- Safety LaDarrell McNeil made an unexpected return to the practice field for Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.
The senior was expected to miss the season with a neck injury, but he wore a non-contact green jersey while the 23rd-ranked Volunteers continued preparations for Saturday's showdown with No. 19 Oklahoma at Haslam Field.
McNeil did very little during the two periods of practice open to the media, only going through the stretching portion and throwing and catching a football during special teams work.
"It was really good having LaDarrell back out there," defensive coordinator John Jancek said after practice. "He's a great kid. He's certainly a guy who knows our defense, and we missed that back there.
"There's no replacement for experience, and LaDarrell has a lot of experience. He was really playing his best football, so it was good to have him back out there."
Jancek declined to comment on how quickly McNeil may return, but it appears he is trying to continue his football career.
"Coach Jones is going to address all that with you guys tomorrow," he said.
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) Jones announced the week before the season opener that McNeil would be sidelined for an extended period of time with what he termed "neck instability," but McNeil since has been seeking second opinions on his health.
During the SEC Network broadcast of Tennessee's 59-30 season-opening win against Bowling Green, the announcers alluded to McNeil returning sooner than expected.
Last Monday, Jones said it was too early to know whether McNeil would miss the entire season and declined to rule it out completely.
"I would say a slight chance, but I would be remiss if I said completely out, then something happened," he said. "Is it a long shot? Yes. Everything about him is getting his health back and doing the proper things that it takes for life beyond football and if he ever wanted to pursue a dream at the next level."
It's still likely sophomore Todd Kelly starts at safety against the Sooners, but the Vols were glad to have their second-most experienced player back out there on Tuesday.
"It was good," defensive end/linebacker Curt Maggitt said. "I love L.D. Great person (and) a great communicator, confident football player. I'm comfortable with him behind me. Him and (Brian) Randolph at safety, I'm real comfortable knowing that they've got my back. It's another step having him back.
"Whenever we get him back, it'd be great to have him back."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.