Starting middle linebacker Micah Johnson (knee) will not start Saturday vs. Mississippi State but will be available for action after making it through all of Thursday’s practice.

Head coach Rich Brooks said they would treat the situation the same as running back Derrick Locke’s, who played through a similar injury in the Louisiana-Monroe game.

Johnson, who will wear a knee brace in the game, said he didn’t feel any pain in practice, only a slight discomfort like his knee was catching because the ligament is still healing. Asked how much he could play Saturday, Johnson said, “The whole game.”

Cornerback Trevard Lindley will dress for Saturday’s game, but head coach Rich Brooks doesn’t think he’s going to be “quite ready” to play. They will judge in the pregame warm-ups whether he will be available at all.