Miami running back Javarris James has a high left ankle sprain that could keep him out of the Hurricanes' next game on Sept. 20 at Texas A&M.

James was hurt early in Miami's 26-3 loss Saturday at Florida and didn't return.

Miami coach Randy Shannon said Sunday that James, a junior, could miss up to four weeks, depending on how severe the sprain is.

With James out, Graig Cooper would become the clear go-to running back. The two are essentially both atop the Miami depth chart.

Backups Derron Thomas and Shawnbrey McNeal could also get considerably more carries.

UTAH

UTES' DEFENSE TAKES HIT

Utah defensive lineman Lei Talamaivao had surgery to repair his broken right fibula yesterday and will miss the remainder of the season.

Talamaivao broke the leg in the first quarter Saturday in No. 22 Utah's 42-21 win over UNLV, leaving the Utes even more shorthanded at their thinnest spot in the defense. Talamaivao took over for Kenape Eliapo, who broke his left foot in the season opener at Michigan and is out for another 6-8 weeks.

Coach Kyle Whittingham said Talamaivao can take the year as a redshirt and have three years of eligibility, but the Utes need to find some depth on the defensive line quickly. Whittingham says Utah may have to shuffle defensive end Koa Misi back to tackle and bring freshman Dave Kruger out of his redshirt season.

BRIEFLY

Nebraska: Offensive lineman Andy Christensen was reinstated to Nebraska's football team after being acquitted of sexual assault charges last week. Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini said that Christensen would resume practicing, but will be suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State.

Hurricane Ike: LSU's athletic director says he wants the North Texas game to be played in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as scheduled, but adds that other venues are being considered in case Hurricane Ike forces a change. Joe Alleva said that LSU has contacted officials at Texas Stadium in Dallas, Independence Stadium in Shreveport, the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and the Superdome in New Orleans.