OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell is expected to need four months to recover from a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered in the team's 35-31 loss to Auburn on Saturday, coach Hugh Freeze said Monday.

Treadwell was close to scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 remaining in the game when he was tackled from behind and fumbled. His left leg and ankle bent at an awkward angle and the 6-foot-2, 229-pound sophomore was in obvious pain before being carted off the field.

He had surgery late Saturday night to repair the broken fibula and dislocated ankle.

Freeze said Monday he hopes Treadwell, who is the Rebels' leading receiver this season, will be healthy enough to return for spring practice.

Ole Miss (7-2, 4-2 SEC) hosts Presbyterian on Saturday.