Any hopes Tennessee has of competing in the loaded SEC this year rests largely on the shoulders of tailback Arian Foster, so the news that the senior has been diagnosed with a just a bone bruise following an MRI this week is huge in Knoxville.
The bruise is thought to be the cause of persistent soreness in Foster’s right knee that caused him to miss several practices. Coach Phil Fulmer said sidelining Foster was only precautionary and the ailment shouldn't limit him any further in fall camp.
"It doesn't look like anything else; that's good," Fulmer said.
Foster, who rushed for 1,193 yards in 2007 and needs just 684 yards to become Tennessee's all-time career rushing leader, said the soreness developed after a non-contact drill.
"I could play tomorrow, if they needed me," he added.
Fulmer said he'd like to get Foster, who did practice briefly Tuesday, some more full-contact work before the end of preseason camp. UT opens the season Sept. 1 at UCLA.
How important is Foster? Tennessee’s top three tailbacks behind Foster combined for only 37 yards on 26 carries in Saturday’s scrimmage — meaning the unit gained only 1.4 yards per carry against a defensive front that has been critiqued for its lack of depth.
Foster’s current backup is Montario Hardesty, who had a fumble in the scrimmage, which drew a tongue-lashing from the coaches.
“There are definitely things that we can improve,” said Hardesty.
Lower down the tailback depth chart, Fulmer said he doesn’t see a competition battle brewing between sophomore Lennon Creer and freshman Tauren Poole.“We’ve got four tailbacks,” Fulmer said. “We’re going to need all four of them. All of them are getting themselves game ready.”
Expect plenty of running this year as former offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe vowed to rely on the ground game in 2007 but rarely delivered on that promise. New coordinator Dave Clawson is expected to emphasize the run.
“From what he tells us, he likes to get his playmakers the ball,” Foster said. “And we’ve got a lot of playmakers at running back this year.”
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