It’s at this point of the season, Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said, in which depth development starts to carry more significance.

The Bulldogs’ secondary has thinned, with senior cornerback L.J. Jones out “for a couple of weeks” with a strained knee, MRI tests confirmed Tuesday, DeRuyter said.

“That’s how football is. That’s why you have to develop your depth. That’s why you get to the end of games, you better have some guys who’ve banked some reps so that’s it’s not new to them.”

Jones, who has two interceptions and leads the team with seven pass breakups this season, was injured in the first half of the Bulldogs’ road game against San Diego State Saturday and did not return.

Redshirt freshman Jamal Ellis stepped in for Jones and recorded six tackles in his first game with significant playing time in the Bulldogs’ 35-28 overtime win.

Ellis is expected to start at cornerback along with Curtis Riley Saturday against Nevada (3-4, 2-3 MWC).

Ellis and sophomore Shannon Edwards competed with Riley, a junior-college transfer, for the starting cornerback spot during fall camp, which Riley won. The spot was up for grabs after junior Sean Alston — who, along with Jones, started in the secondary last season — suffered a season-ending injury during the offseason.

After Jones went down, “Jamal jumped in and didn’t really miss a beat,” said assistant coach Jordan Peterson, who coaches the Bulldogs’ secondary.

“Now that he has some snaps underneath his belt, he should play with a little bit more confidence. Those guys play against the best receivers in the league every day against our offense. We’re pretty excited about having Jamal have that opportunity.”

Fresno State has other options. Redshirt sophomore Dillon Root switched positions to cornerback in early September after starting the season at slot receiver. Senior Jonathan Norton has played in the secondary’s nickel back position and made the game-saving pass breakup in the Bulldogs’ 41-40 Sept. 20 win over the Broncos.

Edwards is expected to back up the cornerback and safety positions. Root, who had back-to-back sacks in Fresno State’s win against Idaho, is also in the mix.

“He’s right there,” Peterson said of Root. “He’s made leaps and bounds with his knowledge of the schemes. He’s definitely in the mix, as well. I don’t have any problems putting in any of those four guys this week.”

Carr named Maxwell Award Semifinalist

­Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr was announced Tuesday as one of 16 semifinalists for the 77th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year.

Carr ranks third nationally in passing (367.7) and is second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 25 touchdown passes.