Butch Jones remains non-committal on the status of his star tailback, but all signs and sources point to the inevitable.

247Sports has been told that Jalen Hurd was not a participant at practice/walkthrough Thursday and is not expected to play this week. Indications are that it is not a lower-extremity injury nor is he being benched or in the doghouse. No one wants to say but it's been indicated by numerous people it's an upper-body injury.

Butch Jones said Monday Hurd was fine and full-go but he has not practiced all week with lingering effects from last Saturday's game at Georgia.

Jones said Thursday on 104.5 in Nashville that Hurd is a gametime-decision but said he fully anticipates the return of sophomore linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. next week at home against Alabama.