This just in from the Associated Press:

Senior linebacker Van Alexander is making good progress as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury suffered in spring drills. Alexander will travel with the team to the Edward Jones Dome, but coaches doubt he’ll be on the field for Saturday’s opener against Illinois.
 
“He’s working really hard to get there and we’ll see where he is on a day-to-day basis,” defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said Tuesday. “You couldn’t ask him to work harder and play harder and we are real proud of him and see where he is at game time.”
 
Alexander said he’s right on schedule with the rehab of the knee.
 
“I have to talk to the staff but I think I can be back soon,” he said.
 
Alexander has been practicing, though not at full speed. The severity of the injury required surgery and a need to ease him back into summer workouts.
 
Still, coaches allowed Alexander to participate in a limited amount of contact drills throughout camp to let him get a sample of game play.
 
“I was trying to get my leg strength back,” Alexander said. “After laying off for a while and going full-contact you can get sore so you take it easy for a few days then you get back to practicing.”
 
Sophomore Luke Lambert will likely start in Alexander’s place on Saturday. Lambert started for Alexander, who had an equipment problem, against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl in January. Lambert had 10 tackles and forced a fumble in the Tigers’ 38-7 victory.