University of Tennessee Athletics
Weary Out For Season Following Ankle Surgery
October 05, 2000 | Football
Fred Weary had his ankle examined under anesthesia and it was found to be unstable, Rollo said. The ankle was repaired with the implementation of one screw. He will be on crutches for six to eight weeks and is not anticipated back for the duration of the season.
The 6-4, 301-pound Weary was Tennessee's lone returning starter on the offensive line for the 2000 season. He started all 12 games last season at left guard, but moved to center this fall to anchor a young offensive line. Weary redshirted in 1997 and played in 10 games as a reserve defensive tackle in 1998, but missed the bowl game because of surgery on his left foot. Redshirt freshman Scott Wells, who has started the past two games in Weary's absence, will continue as the Vols' top center.
Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said the loss of Weary is a big blow to the Vols' offense, but he expects the offensive line to continue to improve despite Weary's loss.
It's a tough loss, Fulmer said. He is a tough warrior that you've lost to an injury, but that happens in football. We've had some young guys step and play pretty well for us. I think they'll continue to grow, compete and play hard. We'll certainly miss him and we wish he was back, but again that happens. Fulmer said he considers Weary a strong candidate to be granted a medical hardship and that UT administrative staff will apply for that waiver at the appropriate time.
Outside of Weary's injury, the Vols appear are relatively healthy heading into Saturday night's game.
Tennessee completed its preparations for Saturday's game at Georgia with a 1 1/2 hour dress rehearsal practice in shorts at Hudson Field Thursday afternoon. The Vols will depart in the early afternoon Friday and hold a walk-through practice at Berkmar High School in Atlanta.
Injury Report: Out: DE DeAngelo Lloyd (neck); LB Robert Peace (concussion); DB O.J. Owens (dislocated shoulder); C Fred Weary (ankle); TE Neil Johnson (knee)
Tennessee Players to Visit Area Hospitals Oct. 9
Members of the Tennessee football program will take a break from normal game preparations Monday, Oct. 9, to give back to the Knoxville community by visiting four city hospitals. The Volunteers are idle Saturday, Oct. 14, allowing the team to alter its regular practice week and venture into the community.
All Volunteer players and assistant coaches will take part in the effort to reach out to the community. Four buses will transport Tennessee players to the UT Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, East Tennessee Children's Hospital and the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center. The team will hold its normal Monday team meeting, then travel to the hospitals at approximately 4 p.m.
Tennessee has made the visits to hospitals during its mid-season off week for the past several years.
