Illinois breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday afternoon after receiving some positive news regarding the injury Calvin Avery sustained during Saturday’s spring game.

Head coach Lovie Smith said Avery suffered a knee injury during the Illini’s scrimmage over the weekend, and added that it was “nothing serious.” That’s refreshing news for a team that has dealt with its fair share of injuries over the last three years.

“Knee injury, nothing serious,” Smith said, according to Illini Inquirer. “Through the course of this many practices, those things happen a little bit. He was playing good football. First spring practices for him. Seen a lot of improvement from him. Did a lot of great things. Have high hopes for him in the fall.”

On Saturday, Avery was on the ground for a considerable amount of time and was unable to leave the field on his own power. The defensive tackle was then carted to the locker room with what appeared to be a serious injury.

Fortunately for Illinois and Avery, that wasn’t the case.

Avery was a true freshman last season and had considerable success along Illinois’ defensive line. He registered 18 tackles and 1.5 stops for loss in the 2018 season while the Illini finished 4-8.