Ole Miss linebacker C.J. Johnson out 4-6 weeks after knee surgery

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Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) is tackled by Mississippi linebacker C.J. Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 27-16. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Ole Miss middle linebacker C.J. Johnson will miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery for a torn meniscus Tuesday morning, according to multiple reports.

Johnson, a fifth-year senior, has 17 tackles and two interceptions in four games this season. One of those interceptions clinched the Rebels' 43-37 victory over Alabama.

Johnson posted on social media late Monday about his impending surgery, a message re-tweeted by Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze:

Johnson, who has also played extensively at defensive end in his career, took a medical redshirt in 2013 following a broken ankle. He sat out the season-opener against UT-Martin due to a suspension.

Should Johnson miss four weeks, he could be back for Ole Miss' Nov. 7 home game against Arkansas. Should he miss six, he'd return for the Nov. 21 game against LSU.

Johnson's injury is the latest for an Ole Miss defense that is already without defensive tackle Issac Gross (neck) for the season and safety Tony Conner (knee) for the next 3-5 weeks. All-America tackle Laremy Tunsil has not played all season due to an NCAA eligibility investigation into possible improper benefits.

Ole Miss (4-1) hosts New Mexico State (0-4) at 11 a.m. Saturday.

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