KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the second half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Butch Jones gives crucial updates on three of his key starters

Tennessee coach Butch Jones updated the statuses of three key starters during his weekly press conference on Monday.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones updated the statuses of three key starters during his weekly press conference on Monday.

According to Jones, kicker Aaron Medley will miss "an extended period of time" due to an illness, defensive end Darrell Taylor will be suspended for the second consecutive week and safety/kick returner Evan Berry will practice, but is questionable for Saturday's game against Alabama.

Jones talked a little more on Medley and said, "We are going to monitor him and we are thinking about him. He is the one individual that will be out for an unspecified amount of time."

Medley was inactive during Tennessee's 15-9 loss to South Carolina on Saturday. Brett Cimaglia went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts in his absence, which accounted for all of the Vols' points.

Taylor, who has started in each of the Vols' first five games, had been suspended indefinitely prior to last week's game, which many believe stemmed from an alleged incident in which he was involved in a fight with teammate Trey Smith, which resulted in the offensive linemen needing stitches.

"He is still suspended at this point in time," Jones said. "He is still working through all the criteria that has to be met."

Berry will participate in Monday's practice, but has not been officially cleared for Saturday's game at Alabama.

"I know Evan has worked extremely hard to get back," Jones said. "We are very encouraged that he is going to practice. He has worked very hard to put himself back on the football field."

Berry is a defensive back and kickoff return specialist who has recorded four kick return touchdowns during his time in Knoxville.