Vols' Lathers continuing to put pain behind him

By: Associated Press

Posted: Sat 1:29 PM, Aug 25, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The wait is almost over for Tennessee linebacker Herman Lathers.

After missing the entire 2011 season with a fractured left ankle, Lathers returns to action Friday when Tennessee faces North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome in the opener for both teams. A strained quadriceps muscle has limited Lathers for much of the preseason, but he doesn't expect the injury to keep him from playing against the Wolfpack.

This only represents the latest comeback for Lathers, who already has dealt with a lifetime's worth of adversity. He spent much of his adolescence battling bone cancer and believing he'd never get the chance to play sports. Now he teams up with sophomores A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt to lead a linebacker corps that should anchor Tennessee's defense.

Aggies Draw Florida in First Round of SEC Tournament

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html