Illini QB Peters' injury status still unknown for game vs. Michigan

Illini QB Brandon Peters (undisclosed injury) status still unknown for this weekend vs. Michigan

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith talks about upcoming matchup vs. No. 16 Michigan. 

Champaign, Ill. -- The status for Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters is still unknown as the Illini prepare for No. 16 Michigan this weekend.

Lovie Smith, Illinois’ fourth-year head coach, declined to detail any specific information on his transfer quarter in his weekly media conference Monday afternoon. Smith did say Peters’ injury is not “a season-ending injury”

“It’s always concerning when a player doesn’t finish a game. Let’s start with that,” Smith said Monday. “We’re hopeful. That’s why we need to get to (Tuesday). We’ll need everyone.”

UPDATE (Tuesday 10 a.m.): Illinois head coach Lovie Smith was once again vague about the injury status of QB Brandon Peters following Tuesday's morning practice session. 

"He's getting better. He was out at practice," Smith said Tuesday. "You don't normally go full. (The) quarterback doesn't get touched anyway."

This upcoming matchup was set to highlight Peters facing the school he transferred from following receiving his degree at Michigan. The Illini will host Michigan at 11 a.m. on ABC and Illinois opened as a 19-point home underdog.

Peters was knocked out of Saturday’s matchup at Minnesota early in the second quarter with an undisclosed injury. Peters, who has started all five of Illinois’ games this season, took a designed quarterback run in the second quarter for three yards and eventually needed help off the field from the Illinois training staff.

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters' injury status is still questionable for Saturday's game against No. 16 Michigan (11 a.m., ABC).  :: Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports

Peters, who was 5 of 10 for 32 yards with an interception before the injury, was immediately taken to the locker room by the training staff and did not return to the game. Peters was replaced by redshirt freshman Matt Robinson for the remainder of the half. Robinson was 15 of 29 for 125 yards and was sacked three times. The only points Robinson’s offense acquired was a 46-yard field goal near the end of the first half.

"You probably do a little more (RPO) stuff with him, utilize his legs a little more," Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said Monday. "The base is still the same. The philosophy is still the same. You may just utilize what he's strong-suited as a little more."