KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The hardest moments for Herman Lathers are when he has to watch his Tennessee teammates don their uniforms in the locker room only to struggle on the field against a tough Southeastern Conference opponent.
The junior linebacker was supposed to be among the Volunteers' leaders on the field this season as one of the team's few returning starters, but an offseason injury has kept him out for the entire 2011 season so far.
Missing games is tough for any player, but it's especially frustrating for players like Lathers, quarterback Tyler Bray, wide receiver Justin Hunter and safety Brent Brewer who would be starting for a Tennessee team that was already short on depth.
Tennessee (3-5) must find solutions without them as it prepares to face Middle Tennessee (2-5) on Saturday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
