Columbia, Mo. ? As expected, it looks like Missouri will be without one key defensive player when the No. 6 Tigers open the season Saturday against No. 20 Illinois in St. Louis.

Senior linebacker Van Alexander is making good progress as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury suffered in spring drills. Alexander will travel with the team to the Edward Jones Dome, but coaches doubt he’ll be on the field.

“He’s working really hard to get there and we’ll see where he is on a day-to-day basis,” defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said Tuesday. “You couldn’t ask him to work harder and play harder and we are real proud of him and see where he is at game time.”

Alexander said he’s right on schedule with the rehab of the knee.

“I have to talk to the staff but I think I can be back soon,” he said.

Alexander has been practicing, though not at full speed. The severity of the injury required surgery and a need to ease him back into summer workouts.

Still, coaches allowed Alexander to participate in a limited amount of contact drills throughout camp to let him get a sample of game play.

“I was trying to get my leg strength back,” Alexander said. “After laying off for a while and going full-contact you can get sore, so you take it easy for a few days, then you get back to practicing.”

Injuries are nothing new for Alexander. After playing in all 12 games in his redshirt freshman season, he missed the first six games of 2006 with an injured groin after going in as the projected starter at strongside linebacker.

He started eight of 14 games in 2007, registering 60 tackles and making his first career sack and fumble recovery along the way.

“It will be hard to wait but at the same time you know you are helping the team and that its the right thing to do,” Alexander said.

Sophomore Luke Lambert likely will start Saturday.