By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

In his first public appearance since suffering a lower-leg injury Saturday against Arkansas, Paul James said Thursday that team doctors will reevaluate him after the team's second bye week.

James went down with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter before returning early in the fourth. He said he took himself out of the game.

"It was up to me," said James, using crutches without a walking boot. "I just felt like I could get back in and it started hurting more."

James said he is rehabbing every day at the team's Hale Center facility. He can also take part in selected activity away from the training room. 

Rutgers travels to SMU next week before playing the next Thursday at No. 7 Louisville. Its second bye week follows. Head coach Kyle Flood said that is the earliest James could return.

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James didn't say for sure that he'd be available Oct. 26 against Houston — it is a target point to re-examine his lower leg. 

Rutgers will have to compensate for his absence in other ways. Flood said Thursday he is confident three backs will receive touches against SMU. Rutgers' strategy will become clearer with game tape.

"It's hard for any of the doctors to project out in certainty what it'll be," Flood said of James' status.