Kiffin says Vols healthy; Berry carries the defense

Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin once again stressed the Vols' improving health after the team's indoor practice Wednesday evening.

"I thought there was great energy today, better than yesterday," Kiffin said. "Yesterday just seemed to be OK. They came out today, and we challenged them."

The Vols play Ole Miss in Oxford on Saturday at 11 a.m. Central time, with the Vol Network and CBS carrying the broadcast.

In the injury report, Kiffin said senior offensive guard Jacques McClendon was slowed some by a foot injury suffered last week against Memphis but expects him to play in Saturday's game. He added that freshman defensive back Darren Myles Jr. was limited in practice.

Kiffin said the team is mostly healthy, which is good news considering it is November. He said "healthy" was a relative term because several Vols who have gone down with season-ending injuries, particularly junior middle linebackers Nick Reveiz and Savion Frazier.

"We've lost a few guys for the season, so when we say we're healthy, we're healthy with the guys we have out there," Kiffin said. "Losing the two middle linebackers has been really tough on us because the position did not have a lot of depth. I'm glad the way the guys have stepped up and really played together."

Kiffin said a lot of credit goes to junior Eric Berry. The All-America defensive back is second on the team with 62 tackles and five tackles for loss. He also has two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

"Eric Berry really has carried us by having to change him around and doing so many different things with him," Kiffin said.