Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer underwent tests Monday after experiencing numbness, pain and tightness in his back, Illinois head coach Ron Turner said at Monday's press conference.

"It's just a combination of hits. It's something that's been building, that's been bothering him the last couple weeks — tightness and all that — and it reached the point where we had to hold him out (Sunday)," Turner said. "I don't know if it was any one hit or the combination of the game and the season ... The medical staff decided the best thing for him is to sit out a couple days."

Beutjer missed Sunday's team practice and also rested on Monday, the Illini's day off. But Turner said he hopes to see Beutjer back in action today.

"I don't want to make more out of this than it is. I expect him to be back (today)," Turner said.

Illini offensive lineman Sean Bubin said the team didn't find out about Beutjer's problem until late last week, and even then they couldn't tell. Beutjer, who has been sacked 17 times this year, threw for 146 yards in the Illini's loss to Michigan State on Saturday.

"It's been bothering him, but Beutjer — he's a real tough football player," Bubin said. "He's a person that doesn't show pain. He was playing through it ... You couldn't really tell. He doesn't let anyone know or show his weaknesses."

In Beutjer's absence Sunday, redshirt freshman backup quarterback Chris Pazan took about 60 percent of the reps and senior Dustin Ward took about 40, Turner said.

If Beutjer's injury does keep him out for next Saturday's game against Michigan, Turner said he is still unsure who would serve as the starter. Pazan replaced Beutjer in the fourth quarter of the Illini's last two losses and completed a total of 12 of 16 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown. Ward, last year's starter of five games, has not seen game action this year.

"We'll take a look at that and talk about it as a staff if we get in that situation," Turner said. "Chris has gone in, done a nice job. I liked the demeanor that he showed in the last two games he got in and the confidence he had, and Dustin's been preparing himself very well."

Ray out for season

Redshirt freshman cornerback Darnell Ray will not play with the Illini for the rest of the season because of disciplinary reasons, Turner said Monday.

"Darnell came by to see me last night and we talked and we'll talk again at the end of the season," Turner said.

Ray was suspended for the Michigan State game last Saturday because of problems Turner does not release to the media.

Turner said Ray wants to be a part of the Illini team next year, but he does not know what Ray will do for the rest of the semester.

The Illini were already thin at cornerback after losing freshman Alan Ball to a shoulder sprain against Purdue. Turner said he hopes to regain Ball after one more week of recovery.

"He's doing a little weight now and he's starting to lift and regain some strength there, so we're hoping for next week," Turner said.

Christian Morton and Sharriff Abdullah will start at the position this week.

Injury report No. 2

Illini receiver Ade Adeyemo and linebacker Josh Tischer could return to the playing field this week after missing the last several games with cracked ribs. The pair began practicing without contact last week and will try full practice this week.

Adeyemo has been out since running into a concrete wall during a late-game play at UCLA. Tischer was injured against California.