AP: Fulmer says Coker 'has fulfilled his obligations', will rejoin team

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee tailback LaMarcus Coker, the team's leading rusher last season who was indefinitely suspended two weeks ago, will rejoin the team. Coach Phillip Fulmer said Friday that Coker "has fulfilled his obligations" to return to the team starting with practice Saturday. He also said that the decision came "at the recommendation of [Coker's] medical advisers." "He's worked out some, I don't know how much," Fulmer said. "Really, he's been quite busy doing other things." Fulmer also said that the troubled tailback's attitude through the entire ordeal has been exceptional. Though he will be back, Coker will not make the trip to California for the Tennessee's season opener Sept. 1, but could make the home opener the following week. "I do expect him to return against Southern Miss if he continues on a positive track," Fulmer said. The sophomore led the Volunteers with 696 rushing yards his freshman year, even though he was sidelined for two games by an injured knee. He was competing for time with junior Arian Foster and sophomore Montario Hardesty. Coker, who had a pair of touchdown runs for more than 80 yards each last season, was suspended for several practices last December for undisclosed reasons.