Safety Zac Etheridge is out for the rest of the season after suffering a neck injury against Ole Miss, head coach Gene Chizik said Sunday.

Etheridge was immobilized and taken to a local hospital after his helmet collided with defensive end Antonio Coleman's shoulder during the first quarter Saturday.

"In just talking with the doctors, it appears he'll be out for the season," Chizik said. "That being said, we're hoping for a full recovery."

Chizik refused to get into the details of Etheridge's status, although it was announced during the game that the junior had movement in his extremities.

"I don't want to go into the whole details of the whole thing, because I don't know the exact details of it," Chizik said.

Chizik said Mike Slade played "adequate" in Etheridge's place. T'Sharvan Bell is another option at safety. Chizik said they are not leaning toward playing Mike McNeil, who broke his leg last spring and has not played this season.

"It's rather slim, but we will get creative to put the best guys out there that give us the best chance to win," Chizik said. "We obviously have to work through some things in the next couple days to figure out what that is. We'll explore all the options."