TCU junior quarterback Jeff Ballard will likely start this Saturday’s game against New Mexico in place of injured senior Tye Gunn, head coach Gary Patterson said. Gunn was forced out of last week’s game against Brigham Young with a shoulder injury.

“Right now, Tye couldn’t play,” Patterson said. “Tye will take mental repetitions this week. If we don’t have to play him, we won’t, but we’ll see how this week progresses.”

Ballard, who took over for the injured Gunn late in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, said Sunday that Gunn’s shoulder “popped out of place.”

Gunn had an MRI on the shoulder Monday, but the results have not been released to the media.

Patterson said the offense will expand its playbook with Ballard or sophomore Chad Huffman, who will likely back up Ballard, despite loosing Gunn.

“We don’t limit our offense without (Gunn),” Patterson said. “With (Ballard) and (Huffman) we add things. They run a little better, which allows us to run the option a little more.”

Patterson said Gunn may be out indefinitely, but the quarterback position will have to continue to be productive for the team to be successful.

“Now we need Jeff or Chad to play well for seven games, or however long until Tye gets back,” Patterson said.