Mark Stoops and Kentucky get Chris Rodriguez back following the star running back’s 4-game absence after a DUI incident in May.

Stoops spoke about Rodriguez’ return this week at Ole Miss.

“Chris, it was just a matter of managing him while he was out,” Stoops said. “Just getting him the reps the last week or 2, as I mentioned last week he was getting reps with the first- and second-team, mainly the second team, just different quarterbacks. Just to make sure he wasn’t totally removed from practicing our plays.”

The key for Rodriguez was to stay in shape, but Stoops has also measured expectations.

“For Chris, he just needs to be himself, he doesn’t need to come in and be our savior or anything like that,” Stoops said. “Save our run game, any of that. We don’t need him to worry about that. We just need him to be him, and we need the people around him, the other guys that are playing to do their job.”