Injury knocks Auburn's Zac Etheridge out for rest of the season

Auburn defensive back Zac Etheridge is out for the remainder of the season, the result of a neck injury in Saturday's win over Ole Miss.Coach Gene Chizik said, "We're very hopeful for a full recovery'' though his season is finished. Etheridge is at a hospital in Birmingham.Etheridge was injured when he collided, helmet to shoulder pad, it appears, with teammate Antonio Coleman while making a tackle. Etheridge's Facebook page shows him in a neck brace in the hospital. Mike Slade filled in for Etheridge for the remainder of the game.Chizik said his options in the secondary are "rather slim, but we'll get creative.''"We've got to work though some things in the next couple of weeks,'' he said.Chizik said he'll miss Etheridge's leadership."He's loved by everyone on the football team,'' Chizik said. Chizik said it's doubtful that Mike McNeil, who has missed the entire year because of a broken leg, will be asked to fill in over the next few games.Chizik praised Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott, who was trapped under Etheridge, for not moving during a lengthy delay while the medical staff prepared to wheel Etheridge off the field."It was one of the most amazing things I've seen,'' Chizik said. "I don't know how he knew, but he knew not to move."