Tide receiver's status uncertain after surgery on broken hand

Julio Jones' status for No. 8 Alabama's game against Mississippi is still uncertain.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban says Jones practiced and caught passes yesterday. Alabama's leading receiver broke his left hand against South Carolina and had surgery Sunday to insert a plate and screws.

Saban says Jones will be evaluated further before determining his situation for Saturday night's game against the Rebels.

Saban says right tackle D.J. Fluker will miss the game with a pulled groin.

Jones played against the Gamecocks after breaking his hand and wound up with season highs of eight catches and 118 yards.

* Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph will have season-ending surgery tomorrow to repair a torn hamstring, coach Brian Kelly said.

Rudolph, who was injured in last week's win over Pitt, will then probably need 6 months of rehab. The 6-6, 265-pound junior, a top NFL prospect, has been a starter for the Irish since his freshman season. He had 28 catches and three TDS this season.

Kelly said leading rusher Armando Allen, who did not practice yesterday, has a hip flexor.

* Illinois offensive lineman Hugh Thornton has been ordered to perform 100 hours of community service for violating the terms of his court supervision by using a friend's ID to get into a campus bar.

A Champaign County judge sentenced the 19-year-old sophomore for damage caused by a fight in which he was allegedly involved. Both incidents occurred Sept. 26. Thornton was not charged in the fight. *