Jean-Francois to Join Tiger Squad for Conference Championship

(CSTV U-WIRE) BATON ROUGE, La. -- A relatively unfamiliar face will be rejoining the LSU football team Saturday.

Sophomore defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois, who LSU (10-2, 6-2) suspended for the entire regular season because of academic reasons, is expected to dress for the Southeastern Conference Championship on Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

"He's gonna play," said LSU coach Les Miles. "He'll take some snaps in the game, I promise you. We're going to see if we can get him tired."

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Miles declined to say exactly why Jean-Francois was suspended for the season, but he did say he continued to practice with the team.

"It's a pretty big game," Miles said. "Would you want to play the championship game? I think he does."

INJURY UPDATE

Miles said senior quarterback Matt Flynn and sophomore wide receiver Trindon Holliday have been practicing for the game against Tennessee (9-3, 6-2).

Injured ankles kept Holliday from dressing out for Friday's loss to Arkansas, but Miles said he took snaps, ran routes and caught passes in Wednesday's practice.

Flynn suffered a shoulder injury during a two-point conversion play against Arkansas. He missed practice early in the week, but Miles said he expects Flynn to start Saturday.

"He's limited some, but he threw the ball well," Miles said.

Miles denied that Flynn had undergone tests or procedures following his injury.

He said the quarterback will not be hurt by missing a couple practices.

"The whole issue is, we're not going to change anything," Miles said. "We're going to run the things that we run. All he's got to do is be healthy and ready to play."

BACKUPS READY TO PLAY

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux has been taking some first team snaps in the event he has to replace Flynn.

Miles said he does not expect Perrilloux will start but would be confident in the offense if he did.

"Through the year, anytime a guy takes the number of snaps that he has, he has full command of the offense," Miles said. "He certainly has been through a season and understands what we're asking him to do."

EXTRACURRICULAR COMMUNICATIONS

Miles addressed the open Michigan coaching position by saying there have been no communications between him and his alma mater.

He also said defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's alleged talks with Nebraska have had no affect on the team.

Miles said it is unfair to a team to have its coach called on for a new position during a season. He said it might be better if those talks were held off until all games were played.

"I'm not saying it's not appropriate," Miles said. "But the significance of competition ... is based on a commitment that's full and complete. I don't want anything to distract me from the next game with this team."