The Tennessee Volunteers are hopeful that star OL Trey Smith can return to the field, but as he continues to recover from blood clots in his lungs, his health is the first priority.

Still, he’s trying to work with the team this spring, though he hasn’t been cleared fully to participate with his teammates.

On Tuesday, coach Jeremy Pruitt said that Smith is doing everything but contact drills, though he has been hitting dummies occasionally.

“Well, Trey is not doing any contact drills. He’s not doing any contact,” Pruitt said.

When asked about Smith’s activity on the practice field, Pruitt shot back, “You know more about it then I do then.”

That’s a good sign, but it seems there is still a long way to go for Smith’s recovery.

As long as there are no setbacks this spring, it’ll be interesting to see what the summer has in store for the talented lineman.