Trying to field a healthy backfield, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt left open the possibility on Monday that senior Enrique Davis (knee) could play Saturday against Southern Illinois, but Davis didn't practice today, and the Rebels are moving on without him.

Davis could still emerge, but the three top candidates at this point are Jeff Scott, Devin Thomas and Korvic Neat.

Thomas would be a vital part of the plan if Davis and Brandon Bolden were healthy. He'll be the focal part of the plan without them, but it looks like Thomas and Neat will get in the game too.

Neat signed as a running back before moving to wide receiver. He had some recall in the backfield today, and it looks like he'll get a few touches.

“Korvic Neat, Jeff Scott, Devin Thomas, those will be our guys,” Nutt said.

Freshman Chief Brown is being groomed at running back, but he'd have “the least role,” Nutt said, strictly because of his lack of experience. Nutt did say that Brown, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards at Winona last year before signing as a defensive back, showed some natural ability.

Nutt said freshman Cody Prewitt had an eye infection today and will remain on defense. He left open the possibility that senior wide receiver Derrick Herman, who has been a running back at times in his career, could move over.

Regarding the quarterbacks, it's Zack Stoudt's show. Offensive coordinator David Lee said that Randall Mackey will play in the game, but there was less enthusiasm in his statement than there was on Aug. 23 when Nutt named Barry Brunetti the starter and said Stoudt would also play against BYU.