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‘Nothing’s changed’ regarding Alexis Johnson’s status with Vols

University of Tennessee defensive tackle Alexis Johnson in Knox County General Sessions Court Thursday, April 21, 2016 where he plead to lesser charges. His felony aggravated assault charge against was reduced to misdemeanor domestic assault and a false imprisonment charge was dismissed through an agreement with the Knox County District Attorney General's office. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel)
University of Tennessee defensive tackle Alexis Johnson in Knox County General Sessions Court Thursday, April 21, 2016 where he plead to lesser charges. His felony aggravated assault charge against was reduced to misdemeanor domestic assault and a false imprisonment charge was dismissed through an agreement with the Knox County District Attorney General's office. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel) University of Tennessee defensive tackle Alexis Johnson in Knox County General Sessions Court Thursday, April 21, 2016 where he plead to lesser charges. His felony aggravated assault charge against was reduced to misdemeanor domestic assault and a false imprisonment charge was dismissed through an agreement with the Knox County District Attorney General's office. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel)

KNOXVILLE – Alexis Johnson’s status with the Tennessee football team hasn’t changed, and the defensive tackle remains suspended indefinitely.

For now, at least.

The junior college transfer, suspended since his arrest following an incident with his ex-girlfriend in February, was cleared by a university student judicial panel last week, nearly four months after his felony assault charge was reduced to a misdemeanor that will be dropped provided he completes a six-month probationary period with no further incidents.

“Nothing’s changed,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said Monday evening. “I have met with Alexis. I have met with his family. I thought we had great dialogue. We’ll continue to have those conversations, but as of right now, in terms of his status with the football team, nothing’s changed.”

Jones added there’s “no timetable” for a decision about Johnson’s possible reinstatement, but one could come as soon as the end of this week.