Jones: Status of three Vols up in the air for Missouri game

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, pushes past Missouri's Donavin Newsom center, as Dylan Wiesman, left, blocks as Dobbs scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, pushes past Missouri's Donavin Newsom center, as Dylan Wiesman, left, blocks as Dobbs scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
photo Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, pushes past Missouri's Donavin Newsom center, as Dylan Wiesman, left, blocks as Dobbs scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee could be without its leading tackler and two starting offensive linemen against Missouri on Saturday.

Head coach Butch Jones on Wednesday called center Dylan Wiesman (ankle) and right tackle Chance Hall (knee) questionable and safety Todd Kelly Jr. (ankle) doubtful for the clash against the 3-7 Tigers.

"In terms of Chance and Dylan, they're going to try to practice today," Jones said. "I would say they're questionable right now. I'll know a little bit more today.

"Same thing with T.K. I think T.K.'s behind those individuals, though. I would say T.K. is probably doubtful right now, where I would list the other two individuals as questionable."

The 19th-ranked Volunteers already are ravaged by injuries on defense, and Kelly, the team's leading tackler, could join the list of absentees after spraining his ankle last week against Kentucky.

Sophomore Stephen Griffin replaced Kelly against the Wildcats and looks to be in line for his first start against Missouri, who's ranked second in the SEC in total offense.

"He's had a good week of preparation," Jones said.

Hall missed the first three games of the season after undergoing knee surgery in August and returned for four games. He missed all but one quarter of the Alabama game and left the Tennessee Tech game. He didn't play against Kentucky.

Wiesman, who suffered a concussion-like injury against Texas A&M and did not play against Alabama, hurt his ankle in the first quarter against the Wildcats.

Without Hall and Wiesman, Tennessee rolled with an offensive line of left tackle Drew Richmond, left guard Jashon Robertson, center Coleman Thomas, right guard Jack Jones and right tackle Brett Kendrick.

Those five helped the Vols rush for a season-best 376 yards against Kentucky.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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