Matt Rhule is getting ready to open his first season as Baylor's head coach, and he is expecting to do so without the services of his starting running back.

Rhule announced during Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday that Terence Williams is currently dealing with a "significant" shoulder injury and that he does not expect the junior to return until Baylor's conference play begins on Sept. 23, according to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News.

Rhule confirmed that Williams sustained the injury during practice, causing him to miss Baylor's spring game.

"The doctors have tried to be patient with him and make sure he really, really heals," Rhule said. "Terence has an NFL career ahead of him at some point and I want to make sure he's healed before he goes out there."

Baylor is set to take on Oklahoma after three games against Liberty, UTSA, and Duke respectively. Across those games, Rhule suggested that freshman running back Jon Lovett, and wide receivers Tony Nicholson, Blake Lynch and Trestan Ebner could all be in line for snaps in Williams' absence, according to Craig Smoak of ESPN 1660.

Williams led the Bears in rushing last year as a sophomore, totaling 1,048 yards and 11 touchdowns on 185 carries.