Tailback Derrick Locke, UK’s leading rusher this season, is doubtful for Saturday’s game vs. Louisiana-Monroe with a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee (his non-surgically repaired knee), head coach Rich Brooks announced Monday.

Brooks said there was some pretty significant swelling in Locke’s knee. He’s hoping to get his star runner back on the field for Wednesday or Thursday, although he didn’t sound optimistic about the chances of him playing.

If Locke can’t go, senior Alfonso Smith, junior Moncell Allen and true freshman Donald Russell will get the majority of the carries.

Smith’s thumb injury still has not healed and will remain in a splint, but Brooks said it should be much this Saturday than it has the last couple of weeks.