Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze confirmed Friday that freshman quarterback Shea Patterson will play Saturday against Texas A&M.
The Rebels had hoped to redshirt Patterson, but Freeze said he made the decision to go with Patterson in the best interest of the team after starter Chad Kelly was lost for the season last week with a torn ACL.
"It was really not that hard of a decision," Freeze told ESPN.com. "You've got to give the Evan Engrams and all those seniors the best chance to win."
Freeze, whose injury-riddled Rebels are 4-5 and have won only once in the SEC this season, said he understands he will be second-guessed for pulling Patterson's redshirt so late in the season.
"It's always about the team concept over individuals," said Freeze, who acknowledged earlier in the week that he would discuss the situation with the players and families involved.
Patterson was the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last year and ESPN's top dual-threat quarterback prospect nationally.