Vols’ Bray undergoes successful surgery

Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray had a metal plate inserted in his hand today to help his broken thumb heal properly. The procedure was anticipated and does not affect the six-week recovery period that was originally presented shortly after Bray suffered the injury earlier this month against Georgia, coach Derek Dooley said.

"They have to let the swelling go down and the plate is in only so the bone doesn't grow, so it doesn't heal crooked," Dooley said at his weekly press conference. "The plate's only to help the healing. The scar tissue heals but it can move. If it moves and then it heals, then you've got a crooked thumb. We certainly don't want that with our quarterback."

Former UT wide receiver Gerald Jones underwent a similar procedure last season.

With Bray out until mid-November, senior Matt Simms remains the Vols' starter and freshman Justin Worley is the No. 2 option. When asked if Worley would only enter in an emergency, injury-related situation, Dooley said it was too early to speculate.

"Matt's our quarterback," Dooley said. "He's played one game, so I just think it's a little premature right now."