RANTOUL - The Illini football coaches had to be breathing a sigh of relief on Sunday.

The injury news following Saturday night's intrasquad scrimmage was "much better than we first thought," associate sports information director Cassie Arner said.

Freshman wide receiver Rejus Benn suffered a sprained shoulder and is expected to be out "a couple of days," Arner said. Asked if he would be back at some point this week, she said, "he's day-to-day."

Benn's right arm was immobilized after being dragged to the ground on a tough tackle by linebacker Rodney Pittman. He was taken from the Rantoul High School field by automobile while the scrimmage was still in progress.

Benn's backup at the slot receiver position was also injured.

Chris James, who left the field in a leg brace and on crutches, was diagnosed with a sprained knee.

"He'll be out a little longer, at least this week," Arner said.

The same prognosis was applied to freshman defensive tackle Josh Brent from Bloomington. His sprained knee occurred early in the scrimmage.

Defensive end Jerry Brown suffered a hip flexor, and his status will be evaluated day-to-day.

Arner said the Illini coaching staff hadn't yet met to discuss whether another receiver might be shifted to the slot while Benn and James were on the mend.

Following the scrimmage Saturday night, offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said that could happen and mentioned Decatur's Marques Wilkins and Jacob Willis as candidates to fill in as slot receivers.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.