Nick Marshall knee

Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) and Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall (14) walk off the field after warmups Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall practiced at full speed Sunday night as the Tigers entered an important week in the SEC schedule.

The injured starter did not play in the Tigers' 62-3 victory Saturday against Western Carolina but was available in an "emergency role" if needed, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said.

Marshall did not practice late last week but took "mental reps" and Lashlee expects him to be "ready to rock and roll" when No. 24 Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC) full preparations for No. 7 Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1) on Tuesday. The Tigers practiced in shorts and helmets late Sunday.

"Yeah, that was a great feeling seeing him out there today running like nothing ever happened," running back

Corey Grant

said Sunday. "He's not limping or anything. He looks great."

Marshall injured his right knee in the second half of the Tigers' 30-22 victory against then-No. 24 Ole Miss on Oct. 5.

"We've got full confidence in him and he's gotten better each week," Lashlee said of Marshall's improvement at quarterback. "And our team has full confidence in him."

True freshman Jeremy Johnson started in Marshall's spot against the Catamounts but will remain as a backup and could see more time in package plays in some games. He was an impressive 17-of-21 passing for 201 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Marshall was "80 percent" healthy going into the Western Carolina game, Lashlee and Johnson said.

Marshall's teammates expect Marshall to start and Lashlee sounded confident the junior will return Saturday against the Aggies.

"He practiced tonight full speed and he looked good," Lashlee said. "I wouldn't have known there was anything wrong with him."

Last week "was more about getting him rested and full speed," Lashlee explained.