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CHAMPAIGN – There are two new faces in the Illinois secondary. One by necessity and one by design.

Starting safety Supo Sanni suffered a torn Achilles' tendon during Wednesday's practice and will miss the 2010 season. Sanni had surgery Thursday afternoon.

"It's kind of strange because it normally doesn't happen to a young guy," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "It happens to older guys who think they are still athletes. It was a freak thing. He was just pushing off. It happened right in front of me."

Zook talked to Sanni before the surgery.

"He's positive," Zook said. "He understands now he's got a redshirt year. Let's get him ready to go and get him back next year."

With Sanni out, former receiver Steve Hull is playing safety. During the two-minute drill Thursday, Hull intercepted a pass.

"I'm just out here doing what I can to help the team," Hull said.

Hull, who played safety at Cincinnati Sycamore, actually changed sides during Wednesday's workout.

Hull was in the receiver rotation and likely would have gotten playing time in the opener against Missouri. But he'll have a chance to play more at safety.

Illinois also moved Justin Green from tailback to cornerback. Green has been practicing at his new position all week and is expected to play in the opener against Missouri.

"He'll be on the field," Zook said. "He's going to have to play."

Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said the coaches have talked about someday using Green as a starting cornerback, allowing them to move either Terry Hawthorne or Tavon Wilson to safety.

"But you've got guys that have comfort zones," Koenning said. "I just talked about all the reps those guys have banked. We obviously have some concerns in the secondary. We had that going into the season. Now, you've got two of your better players out."

Playing behind Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford at tailback, Green was looking for more time. So, he went to Zook and asked to move to defense.

"I saw an opportunity," Green said. "Any way I can help the team, I'm willing to do it."

Green is willing to stay at cornerback. It was a move he considered earlier.

"Hopefully, they'll keep me on the defensive side of the ball. I think I love it, actually. My family, they wanted me to switch back to defensive back after last season. I didn't want to make too much of a hassle, so I just stuck with running back."

Besides Sanni, the Illini are also without Walt Aikens, who has been dismissed from school.

"(Zook) didn't tell me I would start," Green said. "But he told me we needed help over here because we're short."

Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino understands why Green and Hull had to be moved.

"Whatever it takes for the team to win is the most important thing," Petrino said. "We're all about team. I think it's been a good move, and I think both guys are going to do a real good job over there."

Losing Hull is easier to take for Petrino because of the development of freshman receivers Darius Millines, Ryan Lankford and Spencer Harris.

"Having those freshmen come in and making plays gave us more depth at that position," Petrino said.