Auburn football ‘expects’ RB Kamryn Pettway to play vs. Mississippi State

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn has upgraded his injury report for starting running back Kamryn Pettway.

Malzahn said Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference that Pettway practiced Tuesday afternoon. He sat out Auburn’s 51-14 win over Missouri last Saturday with an undisclosed injury but is expected to play Saturday against Mississippi State (6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on ESPN).

“He did practice yesterday, and we do expect him to play,” Malzahn said. “We’ll just see how much and all that as it gets later in the week.”

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Malzahn said Tuesday morning there was a “high likelihood” of Pettway playing, considering he practiced Sunday to open Mississippi State week.

Pettway missed Week 1 with a suspension and then took all of Auburn’s running back carries in Weeks 2 and 3 against Clemson and Mercer. Pettway has rushed for 202 yards on 56 carries so far this season.

In Pettway’s absence, Kerryon Johnson got the start for Auburn against Missouri. He rushed for five touchdowns — including four in the first half — as an effective red-zone weapon. Third-string running back Kam Martin led the Tigers in rushing yards, and he has the overall season lead at 210 yards.

Saturday could mark the first game Auburn has had Pettway and Johnson available and near full health since last October, when both players received double-digit carries in a road win over Ole Miss.

While Pettway most likely won’t be 100 percent healthy against Mississippi State, Malzahn said the duo can be dangerous when both are active.

“When (Pettway is) 100 percent running the football, he’s a weapon,” Malzahn said. “We haven’t been able yet to have our two main running backs play together healthy yet, or play together period. If we can get that rolling, that would be a big shot in the arm for our running game.”

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