STARKVILLE (AP) — Forget Tim Tebow’s arm. Brandon McRae’s healing left leg might be the most watched limb in the Southeastern Conference this season.

The Mississippi State senior is the only experienced wide receiver in new coach Dan Mullen’s receiver-heavy spread offense. And no one’s sure just how much stress the leg will take after a frightening compound fracture ended his season last year.

‘‘You don’t know because it’s not a knee injury where we have a chart that says this is exactly where he is because we have 1,000 case studies of the whole deal,’’ Mullen said. ‘‘When you have a unique injury like that, you don’t know how it’s going to turn out for him.’’

McRae had a stress fracture in his left leg he didn’t know about late last season. He was making a cut in the open field against Mississippi in the season finale, his leg gave way and he crumpled to the ground.

‘‘Once I planted and it felt like somebody just hit me in my leg, somebody took my leg out from under me,’’ McRae said. ‘‘I asked my teammates and there was nobody around me.’’

McRae’s tibia and fibula broke in several places. He says he never once thought about the possibility he might not play again, but others wondered after watching him carted off the field.

After surgery, McRae made it back in time to work out individually during spring practice in April. Trainers are pleased with his progress and allowed him to participate in two-a-day practices. He believes he’s back to 90 or 95 percent as the Bulldogs prepare for their Sept. 5 opener against Jackson State.

‘‘I’m ready to go,’’ McRae said. ‘‘Can’t nothing hold me back too much longer.’’

Quarterback Tyson Lee has been playing catch with McRae since informal workouts began this summer and thinks the receiver can become the go-to guy in the spread.

There is one obstacle left to clear, though.

‘‘Physically I think he’s there but I think mentally he doesn’t trust it enough,’’ Lee said. ‘‘Overall, I’ve been pleased and I think he’s done a great job with the recovery. When Jackson State comes he should be 100 percent and ready to go.’’

McRae agrees. He hopes to test it thoroughly in practice and expects to gain confidence as the weeks progress. Confidence is not something the chatty McRae has lacked.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Chester, Va., native was looking for a bigger challenge when he transferred from Football Championship Subdivision team Morehead State to Starkville in 2006. He led the Bulldogs with 53 receptions for 568 yards last season and was one of the few positive notes in a sour season for the Mississippi State offense.

Mullen has monitored his progress closely, and for good reason. The spread offense he runs often employs four- and five-receiver sets, and McRae’s the only player proven he can succeed in the SEC.

No other receiver on the roster has significant playing time and most are newcomers.

‘‘Also really important in having him back is his leadership qualities,’’ Mullen said. ‘‘He’s a senior, he’s had a lot of experience. He’s an older guy that all the younger guys can look up to and say, ’Look how he handled adversity to push himself through to get back out here.’’’

How the rest of the group shakes out remains to be seen, but coaches are optimistic after the first few days of practice.

Returning player O’Neal Wilder and junior college transfer Leon Berry are expected to earn significant playing time. And one incoming freshman has grabbed everyone’s attention during summer workouts and the first few days of practice. Chad Bumphis, of Tupelo, was listed as the No. 16 wide receiver prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and 33rd by Scout.com, and he has immediately shown why.

‘‘Chad came in at the beginning of the summer and worked hard,’’ Lee said. ‘‘I just love his work ethic. Through his work ethic and the way he listens, just wanting to get better, I think it’s helping him out and I’ve been impressed with him so far.’’