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Top Tennessee receiver to play against Florida

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Kelley Washington, Tennessee's leading receiver last season, returned to practice Monday after missing the first two games because of a sprained knee.

He is expected to play Saturday against Florida.

"I feel like I'm a top-class athlete. It shouldn't be a problem," Washington said about his time away.

"I really didn't miss a beat. I'm hungry to go out there and make a big play for my team."

The Volunteers were off this past weekend and open SEC play against the Gators at home.

Washington hasn't practiced for the past four weeks to allow his right knee to heal.

He was listed on the depth chart Monday as a starter beside sophomore Tony Brown.

Washington, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound sophomore, had 64 catches for 1,010 yards and five touchdowns in 2001.

With the early departure of Donte' Stallworth to the NFL this spring, Washington returned as the Volunteers' best receiver.

ALABAMA: The school learns today if it will get relief from NCAA sanctions after an extensive appeal. The NCAA placed Alabama on five years' probation Feb.1, tacking on six scholarship cuts to the university's self-imposed reduction of 15 and imposing a two-year bowl ban.

Alabama appealed, seeking restoration of the six scholarships and bowl eligibility.

The Infractions Committee cited Alabama for illegal recruiting by boosters, with chairman Thomas Yeager saying the panel considered the "death penalty," shutting down the program for one or more seasons.

KENTUCKY: The school learns today if it will be eligible to play in a bowl game this season. It was banned in February as part of the NCAA's sanctions against the program for dozens of violations committed under former coach Hal Mumme.

SUSPENSIONS: Nebraska offensive lineman Richie Incognito was suspended for the first half of the game against Iowa State on Sept. 28 after he was ejected for fighting Saturday.

Incognito and Penn State defensive end Jeremiah Davis were kicked out during the third quarter after the Nittany Lions returned an interception for a touchdown during their 40-7 victory.

Davis will miss the first half of the game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

Big 12 supervisor of officials Tim Millis received the officials' report Monday and said a one-game suspension is required under NCAA rules.

Because both players missed most of the second half, sitting out the first two quarters of the next game would suffice to complete the suspension.

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