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Kentucky coach Joker Phillips may not know who will start at quarterback against Tennessee until moments before the game.

Phillips said Thursday that it will likely be a gametime decision if quarterback Max Smith is healthy enough to play. Smith has started the last three games but is nursing a shoulder injury after being injured late in the loss to Georgia.

Phillips said Smith threw during Thursday's practice. Phillips has seen before that an injured quarterback can make big strides the final day or two before a game.

"We'll take a look at him on Saturday and a lot will be determined on how he is in 48 hours. We've done that before. Billy Jack Haskins, we never thought he would play, back in the day," Phillips said.

Backup quarterback Morgan Newton is also nursing a shoulder injury and is recovering from a high ankle sprain but is well enough to get the start if Smith can't go, according to Phillips.

"He's a lot better. He's throwing farther today than he ever has in the last couple weeks. Moving around a lot better," Phillips said of Newton.

Phillips also had to answer several questions about his future beyond the Tennessee game. When asked about rumors that he would resign after the game, Phillips did not answer directly, saying that he does not pay attention to rumors and is not aware of them until he is asked about them by the media.

When asked if he had recently spoken with Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart about his future , he was similarly evasive.

"The thing now is to focus on this game. The goal again is to send these seniors out the right way," Phillips said.