SAN DIEGO -- Tailback Cedric Benson practiced again Monday but won't start for No. 9 Texas in the Culligan Holiday Bowl against Washington (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today; No. 21 Associated Press) on Friday night, coach Mack Brown said.

Benson, a freshman who rushed for 1,053 yards this season, suffered a stinger in his shoulder-neck area in Texas' defeat against to Colorado in the Big 12 title game Dec. 1.

"He's better than he was, and the injury is not something that will keep him out of spring practice or next fall," Brown said. "But he's still got some work to do with the doctors between now and Friday before he will play. That'll be a decision the doctors will make with him. We won't have anything to do with it, but we're not planning on him starting."

Benson and offensive tackle Mike Williams knocked each other out of the Colorado game in a collision trying to make a tackle on Chris Simms' last interception.

"If it was left up to me, I'd be out there," Benson said.