Squeezing in another practice outside on Haslam Field, with significant rain forecast for Saturday's 'Student Appreciation Day,' Tennessee returned to full gear for Thursday's practice, the Vols' 11th of spring camp.

As VolQuest.com reported earlier, Rashaan Gaulden was absent from the field with a hand/wrist injury that stemmed from last season. Gaulden joins the group of defenders with offseason surgery but is expected to be able to fully return in four to six weeks.

Also absent from the practice field was LaDarrell McNeil as Evan Berry notched some first-team reps.

After seeing his charges dismissed, Coleman Thomas returned full-speed to the Vols' practice and worked at second-team center during early portions of the session. Brett Kendrick remained as the Vols' first-team tackle while midterm enrollee Jack Jones followed up.

Dontavius Blair has shown some signs of improvement lately, and he remained the Vols' No. 2 left tackle behind Kyler Kerbyson.

Though a shoulder injury is keeping him from largely participating in spring, Marcus Jackson did work some as the Vols' first-team left guard in some 11-on-11 drills and other formats.

Charles Mosley had a big-time 'Circle of Life' battle with Shy Tuttle that basically resulted in a stalemate.

Donning the green, non-contact jerseys were again Alton 'Pig' Howard, Jalen Hurd and Marquez North.

Trevor Daniel continued to punt well, showing good precision on several pooch punts.

In pass skeleton, Josh Dobbs opened with a quick pass to Hurd while Quinten Dormady also had a strong completion to Hurd and then a beautifully thrown pass in coverage that fell incomplete, prompting Butch Jones to both praise Dormady and challenge A.J. Branisel to be an athlete and make the catch.

Jauan Jennings completed a pass to Von Pearson and then also connected with Joe Stocstill who made a nice, one-handed grab in the middle of the field.

VolQuest.com will have comments from comments from assistant coaches following 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. In addition to Quick HiTs, we'll have an in-depth notebook with all the day's news, features and more moving toward the Vols' next practice.