AUBURN, Alabama — Kerryon Johnson is working to get back on the field in time for the SEC Championship Game.

Auburn's star running back injured his right shoulder during a 26-14 victory against then-No. 1 Alabama last week. His status for the rematch against No. 6 Georgia is still up in the air, though his teammates believe he will be ready to play Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.

"I’m working this week to get back as healthy as I can be," Johnson said Monday. "We’ve been working for this game for a long time. I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field."

Johnson was taken off the field twice with apparent shoulder injuries: once in the third quarter and finally near the end of the game in the fourth quarter. He was taken to the locker room holding his right arm close to his jersey.

"It's just banged up," Johnson said, when asked what the injury is exactly.

Johnson rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries, and also threw a 3-yard touchdown pass out of the Wildcat formation against the Tide. He has rushed for 100 yards or more in eight of 10 games he has appeared in this season.

Teammates are confident Johnson will play against Georgia. Linebacker Tre' Williams has battled a shoulder injury for the last month of the season and has missed some playing time, though he has returned to the fold in recent weeks.

"Kerryon is really tough, man," Williams said. "That's something we look up to him for, and a lot of people should. Just all in all, know he's going to play because it's the first time we've played in the SEC Championship, and he wouldn't let this opportunity bypass him."

Williams was helped off he field after re-injuring his shoulder against Louisiana-Monroe, but returned last week against Alabama.

Johnson said he is using "a lot of ice and the normal rehab stuff" this week in an attempt to return for the SEC Championship Game.

"It didn't fall off. I can feel it," Johnson said. "Obviously it's sore, but, shoot I'm sore after every game. ... It's nothing more different than any other week."

Johnson rushed for 167 yards and also caught a touchdown pass in the 40-17 victory against Georgia on Nov. 11, so getting him back on the field is paramount to Auburn's success.

Still, the moment Johnson was motionless on the grass inside the stadium in the fourth quarter Saturday was scary. Fans started chanting Johnson's first name as he was helped off the field.

"That brought tears to my eyes. I was good until that happened," Johnson said.

The junior added he is "confident" in himself to return and will not count himself out for the SEC Championship until he is told otherwise by team doctors.

"This game is huge for me," Johnson said. "We set this goal as a team, so obviously I set it as a player. These are the games you go to big-time schools for."

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