KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell had surgery Monday to repair a ruptured tendon in his left
biceps.
Harrell, a senior, postponed the operation so he could play his
final game last Saturday against Florida. The No. 15 Volunteers
lost 21-20.
"It looks like everything has gone well. He'll be well on his
way to recovery. It's a several-months [long] deal, but he should
be fine," coach Phillip Fulmer said Monday before practice.
Harrell was hurt in the Air Force game on Sept. 9, and team
officials said then that Harrell would miss the rest of the year
because his injury required surgery.
But Harrell said he wanted to play against Florida, and doctors
said he could not make the injury worse.
Harrell was a game captain and starter against Florida. He
played most of the way and had three tackles.
"I'm not satisfied in how I played. I didn't really do a whole
lot for this team to help them get the win," Harrell said. "You
want to do your best and play your hardest, and I think I did
that."
He passed up a chance to be in last spring's NFL draft to return
for a final season. He was projected as a second-round pick.
"It's been a real special week for me, and it's something I'll
remember for the rest of my life," he said.