It wasn't fourth-and-18, but an important member of the BYU Cougars is still streaking down the sideline--in warm-ups.

The two-time defending Mountain West Conference champion Cougars return nine of 11 starters on offense, all save a center and a fullback from last year's team. But one of the nation's most potent offenses has one important person on the sideline.

Wide receiver Austin Collie was diagnosed with a stress fracture on his lower right leg, just below the kneecap, Saturday morning, meaning he could be out for as long as five weeks, he told reporters following practice.

Still, the junior receiver feels optimistic about a quick return, even in time for BYU's home opener against Northern Iowa later this month.

"It's a minor setback," Collie said. "We've got a great group of athletic trainers who are going to take care of me and get me back on the field soon. I have no doubt we'll be ready for the season. I'll have at least a week to prepare for Northern Iowa."

Collie will continue to train with the team, but will be forced to keep a close eye on his pain tolerance at each practice session until he has recovered. The injury was thought to be patellar tendonitis early in the year, but MRIs confirmed a stress fracture last week.

"The plan is to train and get to the point where it doesn't hurt anymore," Collie said. "It could be two weeks, or five weeks, but it all depends on how I work and how things play out in my body."

Quarterback Max Hall isn't worried about the leg problems, despite the hole in his throwing game.

"It's a little strange, because Austin is my go-to guy," Hall said. "It's a little different not having him out there. But guys are stepping in. It'll be OK, but I'll definitely miss him for a while. He could practice right now, but we would rather have him healthy and good to go, rather than have a nagging knee injury over the season."

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall isn't taking any chances of losing his primary wide receiver.

"We're not concerned about his readiness to play this season, nor in our opener," Mendenhall said. "It's a great chance to develop a couple of younger players, so it might be a blessing."

Some of the players who may fill in for Collie, should he miss a game or two, include sophomore Luke Ashworth and freshman O'Neill Chambers.

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Aug 2008