CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper on Wednesday underwent left shoulder surgery to alleviate the chronic inflammation from which he suffered throughout the 2011 season, the university announced on Friday.

Jonathan Cooper's experiment at center for North Carolina lasted one game. Cooper, who struggled in the Tar Heels' opener at center, will move to left guard, he said on Tuesday.

Cam Holland, who replaced Cooper after two errant snaps in the LSU loss cost UNC nine points, will start at center. Holland, a junior, started eight games at center in 2009.

North Carolina's patched up offensive line could be missing another piece on Saturday.

Left tackle Kyle Jolly (ankle) will be a game-time decision, UNC coach Butch Davis said Thursday. Jolly and left guard Jonathan Cooper (ankle) were both expected to practice Thursday and will be re-evaluated for Saturday's nonconference game with Georgia Southern.

For Saturday's game with ECU:

Out: C Lowell Dyer (shoulder), WR Dwight Jones (knee), TE Zack Pianalto (foot), TE Ryan Taylor (knee)

UNC could be missing two starting offensive lineman against Connecticut on Saturday. Left guard Jonathan Cooper and center Lowell Dyer are listed as questionable on the injury report released Thursday.

Cooper sprained his right ankle early in No. 19 UNC's 40-6 win over The Citadel. The redshirt freshman finished the first half but sat out the second. He did not practice Wednesday and would have to make significant progress to play on Saturday.

UNC released its two-deep chart for Saturday's opener against The Citadel (6 p.m.). There were few surprises but among the highlights:

• Sophomore Zach Brown will get the starting nod at weakside linebacker over freshman Kevin Reddick. Brown, the hero of timing day with a 4.28 in the 40, played primarily on special teams last season.