Because of a sprained shoulder, sophomore tailback T.J. Duckett may not play against Illinois this weekend.

Head coach Bobby Williams said Monday that Duckett’s playing status being evaluated.

“I’m not sure if he’s going to be ready for this weekend,” he said. “It’s really bothering him and we’re going to hold him out of practice. If he improves in time, he’ll play Saturday.”

Duckett was optimistic Tuesday about his chances of playing against Illinois, saying that his shoulder is getting better every day with treatment and rehabilitation.

“The difference between last Saturday and today is that it feels like it’s 100 percent,” he said. “Right now I’m moving in a positive direction and I’m thankful for that.

“By Saturday, we’ll see what happens.”

Besides the shoulder injury, Duckett said he is feeling no ill effects of a hip pointer and ankle injury.

“Only the shoulder is hurting,” he said. “Everything else is fine.”

Duckett sprained his shoulder against Iowa and reaggravated the injury Saturday against Michigan in the third quarter when he fumbled at the U-M 8-yard line. Williams kept Duckett out for the remainder of the game, even though Duckett felt he could still play.

“T.J.’s a tough kid. He plays with pain very well,” Williams said. “I just didn’t think it was necessary to reaggravate the injury far worse than it was.”

In Duckett’s place, Williams said he would use junior tailback Little John Flowers, freshman tailback Tyrell Dortch and sophomore fullback Dawan Moss, as he did against U-M. The three combined for 28 yards Saturday.

Duckett has carried the ball 171 times for 960 yards and five touchdowns this season. He has played in all seven games and is eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 137.1 yards per game.