Athens — To peer out across Georgia’s expansive practice complex Monday was to sense trouble. There, concentrated in one area on Field One where the linebackers were working, stood five players in green jerseys, meaning they were injured and out of action.

Among them were starting middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, a preseason All-SEC selection, Marcus Dowtin, a freshman backup with promise, and Akeem Hebron, a former high school All-American. Middle linebackers Marcus Washington (shoulder) and Charles White (knee) have long since been sidelined with season-ending injuries. There are only nine linebackers total.

But according to the players’ post-practice comments, the prospects aren’t nearly as dim as they appear for Saturday’s game against Tennessee.

“The trainers are going to want to do what’s best for me, but at the end of the day it’s how I feel,” said Ellerbe, a senior who has started the last 16 games in the middle for Georgia. “I’m going to have to do a test and if I pass the test and am able to play, I’m gonna play.”

Asked just what that test would entail, Ellerbe said, “just show them I can move. Basically just go through a practice and do some little drills they want me to do.”

Ellerbe said he expects to give up his spots on the No. 1 punt and kickoff teams but to be available for defense.

“Hopefully it will be more than 15 to 20 plays,” said Ellerbe, who has been rehabbing the knee he sprained against Alabama “three times a day since Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Dowtin, a major special teams contributor, injured his lower back lifting weights at the end of last week.

“I’ll be ready to play,” he stated confidently Monday. “Messed up my back a little bit but nothing too serious.”

Sophomore Darryl Gamble, who’s second on the team in tackles, has stepped up to fill in for Ellerbe alongside Rennie Curran. As for the logjam of injuries at linebacker, Dowtin said: “We’re playing hard and there’s not that many of us so we’re getting a lot of reps. It’s a little wear-and-tear on us but we’re going to be all right. We’re getting healthier.”

Injury report

Safety Quintin Banks did not play at all in the Alabama game but hopes to Saturday against Tennessee. The sophomore from Warner Robins missed the first five games with a sprained knee suffered in preseason camp. He was expected to get extensive playing time in a three-man rotation with Jones and CJ Byrd… . Rod Battle, who started 15 games at defensive end before being sidelined the last three with a neck injury, worked extensively on the side with a trainer Monday but remained in a non-contact green jersey and did not practice with the defense… . Sophomore flanker Tony Wilson had his left ankle heavily wrapped and was on crutches Monday. Coach Mark Richt said last week Wilson was contemplating season-ending surgery to repair a chronic injury. Neither Richt nor Wilson was available for comment Monday.

Etc.

CBS has delayed it decision and may wait until Sunday to decide whether to broadcast Vanderbilt at Georgia, LSU at South Carolina or Ole Miss at Alabama. CBS has first choice over ESPN and Raycom, which would broadcast the other two games.