Tennessee freshman safety Janzen Jackson returned to the practice field for the first time since his arrest Nov. 12 for allegedly being involved in an attempted robbery in the parking lot at Pilot on Cumberland Avenue.

The attempted aggravated robbery charges against Jackson were dropped Monday.

Tuesday, at his weekly press conference, head coach Lane Kiffin said Janzen would start for the first time since Tennessee's 31-13 win over South Carolina on Oct. 31. 

"It's just a pleasure having him back out there running around with us and having a good time at practice," safety Eric Berry said. "Just the energy on the defense has just been up ever since he got back."

Janzen had started seven times this season and recorded 33 tackles.

The Vols face Kentucky Saturday and Berry said Tennessee will need Jackson's and junior linebacker LaMarcus Thompson's help containing their offense. Thompson was carted off the field at Ole Miss with a shoulder injury during the Vols 42-17 loss in Oxford, Miss. two weeks ago.

"It's a big deal (getting them back) because this offense is really good. At the same time, they have a lot of experience even though Janzen is a freshman. This is both their first year starting, but that experience they gained earlier in the season is really helping us out on defense," Berry said.

Berry said he has noticed that Jackson had been happy since the weekend when rumors began floating around that the charges against Jackson would most likely be dropped.

"Man, he's been happy ever since, I would say probably Saturday, ever since I saw him Saturday he's just been grinning ear-to-ear and just really been having fun, running around," Berry continued.

"It's hard to see him without a smile on his face. I saw him yesterday in class and he was smiling for no reason. He's just back to his old self, having a good time."

Berry wasn't the only one to notice the return of Jackson. Senior defensive tackle Dan Williams said the defense may have had an extra spark with the freshman's return.

"Oh yeah, (Jackson) looked good," Williams said. "It's always good to have Janzen back there, he's a good athlete and he can really help us out back there."