AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -Auburn strong safety Zac Etheridge will likely miss the rest of the season with a neck injury sustained against Mississippi.

Etheridge was hurt Saturday when he collided headfirst with teammate Antonio Coleman early in the game. Chizik declined to go into details about the injury but said doctors are hoping for a full recovery. He wouldn't speculate on whether the junior would play football again.

Etheridge was strapped to a backboard and taken to a local hospital, giving a thumbs-up on the way off the field. Auburn announced during the game he had movement in his extremities.

Mike Slade replaced him in an already thin secondary.

Etheridge entered the game as the Tigers' fourth-leading tackler.