With Butch Jones donning black and having South Carolina Gamecocks sound effects and music pumping across Haslam Field, Tennessee worked intensely on special teams components and more Wednesday afternoon in a practice with a lighter physical element.

The Vols, in shorts and shoulder pads, welcomed back freshman right tackle Coleman Thomas into the mix along the offensive front. Thomas was injured in the second quarter at Ole Miss and did not play last week.

But the Vols are again, with the return of Marcus Jackson, expected to go with a starting front of, from left to right, Kyler Kerbyson, Jackson, Mack Crowder, Jashon Robertson and Jacob Gilliam protecting Josh Dobbs.

Jalen Hurd remains much healthier and active; ditto for Von Pearson. There's also additional pep from Marquez North, Josh Malone and Alton 'Pig' Howard.

Jones sought, despite the upper-pads-only practice, to ratchet up intensity with an early 'circle-of-life' drill. Gavin Bryant battled Neiko Creamer while Ryan Jenkins took on Riyahd Jones. Jones' best commentary?

"Bynum's begging for somebody. Oooh, A.J. wants Bynum," Jones said in hyping the Kenny Bynum against A.J. Johnson clash.

Evan Berry remained in a green, non-contact jersey. The Vol rookie is still expected to handle kickoff return duties with Devrin Young continuing to recover from broken ribs.

Quarterbacks again didn't throw during the open periods of practice, but Dobbs remains in control of the offense from all indications and per members of the program.

VolQuest.com has assistant coaches' comments coming immediately after practice. We'll post updates to the General's Quarters, as well as our Twitter handles: @John_BriceVQ; @Brent_Hubbs; @VolQuest_Rob; @VolQuest_Paul; @GrantRamey; @AustinPriceless.