September 13, 2006

Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell, who was ruled out for the season earlier this week, will play Saturday against seventh-ranked Florida, coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday.

Harrell ruptured a biceps tendon last week in the No. 13 Volunteers' win over Air Force. Head trainer Jason McVeigh said earlier this week Harrell would have to have surgery and would not play the rest of the season.

"Justin Harrell came to us and said, 'Coach, I feel like I can play,'" Fulmer said.

Doctors said Harrell cannot make the injury worse. Harrell is not in pain, Fulmer said.

"I don't know whether he'll get five snaps or 50 snaps but he's going to be able to play," the coach said.

Harrell and cornerback Inky Johnson, who remains hospitalized, were injured in the same game. Johnson also was ruled out for the season with a severe injury to his upper right extremity that required surgery to repair blood vessels.

The loss of Harrell was significant because of the Vols' lack of depth among the tackles. He was the only returning starter on the defensive line and passed up a chance to enter the NFL draft a year early.

For more news from Tennessee, visit VolQuest.com.