AUBURN, Ala. — Demond Washington will move from cornerback to safety to help Auburn fill the void in the absence of Zac Etheridge, who suffered a season-ending neck injury against Ole Miss last Saturday.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Washington, who transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, has seen his role increase this season. He is, and will remain, the team's nickelback and has worked his way into a cornerback rotation in the base defense as well.

He has 22 tackles in nine games with one sack. He returned a blocked kick the length of the field for a defensive 2-point conversion against Ole Miss.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik said backup safeties Mike Slade and T'Sharvan Bell will still have a role on the defense. One will likely play at safety in the nickel while Washington remains at cornerback.

"We're going to try to do this with as little disruption as possible," Chizik said.

Etheridge was released from the hospital Monday and has been able to walk around, with full use of his arms and legs. Chizik did not know whether he would return to football in the future.