GREENVILLE — The East Carolina coaching staff isn’t taking any chances on its resurgent sophomore slot receiver Jimmy Williams.

After notching four catches for 37 yards against North Carolina on Sept. 20, the Washington native awkwardly limped to the sidelines following a hard hit below the waist from a Tar Heel defender. Williams was later taken off the field via stretcher and transported to the hospital.

The diagnosis was a left ankle and neck injury, but that didn’t stop the former Pam Pack quarterback from being honored for his on-the-field production. He was awarded an athletic scholarship at practice three days after the game, even while brandishing a full neck brace.

Despite being listed as probable, offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley did not insert Williams into any plays during last Saturday’s game against Southern Methodist.

And for the second-straight week, while Williams seems to have inched closer to a full recovery, the staff has listed Williams as probable.

I’m looking forward to getting him back,” said head coach Ruffin McNeill. “I don’t play kids if they’re hurt. I love football, but I care about the kid more. If he’s not ready to go, I won’t play him. It’s about what’s in the best interest of the kid.”

As the scholarship suggests, Williams has assumed a new role in the Pirate offense this season as a situational slot receiver at the “H” position. The increased production has strengthened the bond between Williams and his head coach, who has decided to be liberal in regulating his sophomore receiver’s activity.

“He worked well last week and Jake (Moore) said he’s been unbelievable in rehab,” McNeill said. “I’m anxious to see where he is after today, but we’ll be smart with him. He’s a guy that can make plays, but because I love him more than this game, he won’t play until he’s healthy.”

Williams, who has reeled in 12 catches for 174 yards this season, is no stranger to injury.

His 2013 freshman campaign was marred by a left foot injury that sidelined him for the entire second half. A walk-on, Williams’ five receptions and 66 yards placed him in jeopardy of losing his roster spot. However, despite a minor setback, he’s seemed to have fully rebounded in 2014.

While the availability of Isaiah Jones’ backup remains in question, the No. 19-ranked Pirates will hit the road for the first time against an American Athletic Conference opponent when they face South Florida in Tampa on Saturday. In the history of the program, ECU still has yet to beat the Bulls.

“We don’t talk about the past because it’s irrelevant,” McNeill said. “We can’t control what happened in the past. We talk about ourselves and what we have to do to get better. We know we’re facing a team that’s very good, but bringing up what happened in the past really doesn’t help us now.”

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPNU.