Auburn football hasn’t decided if OT Darius James will return to starting lineup against Mississippi State

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football went with a new starting offensive line last weekend in the wake of senior right tackle Darius James’ neck injury in Week 3.

Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said Wednesday morning on the SEC coaches teleconference he doesn’t know yet if Auburn will stick to that lineup this weekend against Mississippi State (6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on ESPN).

“You know, probably by Thursday, we’ll make a call on that,” Malzahn said. “But I’ll tell you this — Darius is back, and he’s 100 percent and feeling good.”

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James did not start at right tackle in Auburn’s 51-14 win against Missouri, but he entered the game for the final two drives with the first-team offense in the fourth quarter.

On those drives, senior Austin Golson — who moved from center to right tackle after James’ injury against Mercer — played left tackle in place of Prince Tega Wanogho. Senior Casey Dunn made his first career start with Auburn at center against Missouri.

James was stretchered off the field with a neck injury in the second quarter of Auburn’s 24-10 win over Mercer two weeks ago. While he returned to practice the next day and participated all week, James did not get the start in Auburn’s SEC opener.

Malzahn said the Tigers would decide after practice Thursday which line it would start against Mississippi State. Three different ones (from left tackle to right tackle) have taken first-team reps over the last two weeks:

• Prince Tega Wanogho-Mike Horton-Austin Golson-Braden Smith-Darius James
• Prince Tega Wanogho-Mike Horton-Casey Dunn-Braden Smith-Austin Golson
• Austin Golson-Mike Horton-Casey Dunn-Braden Smith-Darius James

Malzahn spoke highly of Wanogho on Tuesday morning. The sophomore left tackle had a rough outing against Clemson in Week 2, and he was replaced by Golson late in the third quarter against Missouri when James checked into the game.

“I think Prince Tega is continually getting better each week,” Malzahn said. “You’re talking about a guy that this is his first rodeo. From a line standpoint, there’s a lot of moving parts.”

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