Texas A&M's Starkel to return as Mond's backup vs. Mississippi State

Texas A&M will see a familiar face on its depth chart Saturday against Mississippi State, as quarterback Nick Starkel will make his return after missing the last six games due to an ankle injury.

Texas A&M is currently on a bye week, and will welcome the visiting Bulldogs to Kyle Field on Oct. 28.

Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin announced Starkel's return Tuesday and confirmed the freshman will be slotted into the No. 2 role behind current starter Kellen Mond, according to Brent Zwerneman of The Houston Chronicle.

Sumlin added that Starkel isn't quite back to 100 percent health, but that he will be ready to go if Mond should falter Saturday.

Starkel opened the season as the Aggies' starter, but was forced from their Week 1 game against UCLA and underwent surgery to repair his broken ankle. Sumlin said at the time that he didn't know whether Starkel would be able to return this season, but it looks as if the pivot has recovered ahead of schedule.