Washington out again for Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- When the Tennessee Volunteers travel to Columbia Saturday to tangle with South Carolina in a battle of surprisingly unranked schools,

they will be without three key performers, including wide receiver Kelley Washington.

The 6-4, 225-pound sophomore from Stephens City, Va., who has 4.3 speed in the forty, still has not fully recovered from a concussion. He suffered the injury during the Vols' 18-13 loss to homestanding Georgia on Oct. 12.

On his final catch of the contest, a 45-yard reception and run, put Tennessee in position for its second touchdown.

Washington has 23 catches for 443 yards, both team highs despite playing only four games. He missed the first two games of the season with a knee sprain and last week's game against Alabama, and remains out indefinitely because of the concussion.

The Knoxville News Sentinel Friday reported that the injury is being watched as potentially career-threatening.

A source close to the situation told the paper that Washington's injury is "complex" and leaves him with an "uncertain" future.

"We're still hopeful (of getting him back later), but indefinitely means indefinitely," said Coach Phillip Fulmer. "This is a little different than last week. We've been able to prepare to play without him."

The Vols also will be without defensive end Demetrin Veal and reserve defensive tackle Edward Kendrick.

Veal, a senior from Paramount, Calif., was injured early in the Alabama game. The right defensive end has 31 tackles, including a team-high six for lost yardage. His three sacks lead the team, and his six quarterback hurries are tied for tops in that category.

Kendrick, a senior from Macon, Ga., has 15 tackles and four quarterback hurries. He is sidelined by an ankle injury.