The Ole Miss Rebels have progressively moved up the perceived power rankings of the SEC since Hugh Freeze took over as head coach, but last season was the team’s biggest step forward in the Freeze era.

The Rebels finished the season with nine wins, defeated the two teams with the SEC’s best records in Alabama and arch-rival Mississippi State, defeated four teams with 10 or more wins, hosted College GameDay for the first time ever and boasted the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense at season’s end.

The Rebels bid farewell to some dynamic talents after the season, but they still return one of the most talented rosters in the SEC, thanks in large part to Freeze’s legendary 2013 recruiting class, now entering its collective third year at the college level.

Unfortunately, injuries have taken a tole on Ole Miss, especially during the ongoing spring practice season. A number of key contributors, including arguably the team’s two greatest talents, are working their way back from injuries, and their abilities to return to form could decide the fate of the 2015 season in Oxford.

With that in mind, let’s check in on the Rebels’ injured parties and see how they’re progressing this spring:

OT LAREMY TUNSIL

Injury: Broken leg
Outlook: Tunsil broke his leg late in the first half of the Rebels’ devastating 42-3 loss to TCU in last year’s Peach Bowl, likely shelving him until training camp in August. Tunsil is certainly not going to practice this spring, but Ole Miss has known that since he sustained the injury on New Year’s Eve. When training camp arrives it remains to be seen how Freeze and his staff will ease him back into action considering how valuable he is to an otherwise injury-depleted line, but many expect he’ll start at left tackle Week 1 in early September.

WR LAQUON TREADWELL

Injury: Broken leg, dislocated ankle
Outlook: It’s been five months since Treadwell suffered the gruesome leg injuries that cut his sophomore season short, but in a remarkable turnaround the Rebels’ leading wideout is back on the practice field working through drills with his teammates. He’s not a full-go, per se, but he has told the media he feels “80 percent,” which indicates he’ll almost certainly be 100 percent for the team’s opener in September (barring a setback), which is still another five months away.

LB DENZEL NKEMDICHE

Injury: Broken ankle
Outlook: Nkemdiche beat Treadwell and Tunsil to the injury report last season, sustaining a season-ending broken ankle in the Rebels’ memorable victory over Alabama LSU last October. However, because he sustained the injury one month earlier than Treadwell sustained his and nearly three months before Tunsil went down, he’s also much further along in the recovery process. He was able to be a full participant from the start of spring practice, and is the only returning linebacker on the team with any starting experience.

OL ROBERT CONYERS

Injury: Multiple knee injuries
Outlook: Conyers injured his knee in the Rebels’ Peach Bowl loss when a TCU player fell on his knee and turned it awkwardly. He had the knee operated on after the game, returned for spring practice, then noticed pain in a different spot in the same knee. He has yet to have the knee operated on again and there is no timetable to return, but until clarified there’s reason for concern regarding his knee troubles, especially as an offensive lineman putting a lot of weight on said knee.

DB MIKE HILTON

Injury: Broken thumb
Outlook: Hilton, who is expected to start at cornerback this season, broke his thumb earlier in the spring practice season and will remain out for the rest of the spring, although he’s expected to be a full participant at the start of training camp this summer.

OL AARON MORRIS

Injury: Torn ACL
Outlook: Morris sustained a partially torn ACL before the Rebels thrilling victory over Mississippi State in last year’s Peach Bowl, and he played through the injury before sitting out the 39-point loss to TCU in the Peach Bowl. Morris has a prior injury history with the knee in question, and Ole Miss is taking a cautious approach in his return. He absolutely will not play during the spring practice season, but the goal is to have him back in action at the start of training camp. However, that timeline could be altered as that date approaches depending on Morris’ recovery.

OL SEAN RAWLINGS

Injury: Broken arm
Outlook: Rawlings, a redshirt freshman center, broke his arm in spring practice but will not require surgery. He is currently wearing a cast that is expected to be removed in six weeks’ time.