Kamryn Pettway is expected to return to the backfield for No. 13 Auburn against No. 24 Mississippi State this Saturday.

The redshirt-junior running back, who coach Gus Malzahn said had a "high likelihood" of playing against MSU as of Tuesday, practiced Sunday and Tuesday.

"He did practice (Tuesday) 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."

Pettway missed last week's game at Missouri due to a left ankle injury he suffered a week earlier against Mercer. He has 56 carries for 202 yards and three touchdowns and three receptions for 32 yards this season.

It's been over a year since Auburn had both Pettway and Kerryon Johnson healthy in the same game, but this weekend could change that.

"That would be big," Malzahn said. "When he's 100 percent (and) running the football he's a weapon. 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'll be a big shot in the arm for our run game."

Auburn (3-1, 1-0 SEC) is sixth in the SEC and 44th nationally in rushing (119.5 yards per game) while MSU is seventh in the SEC and 49th nationally in rush defense (126.5 ypg.)

"They've put some pretty good backs on the field and different style," Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. "When Kerryon Johnson's running the ball he's kind of a long slasher and then Pettway's going to pound away at you. Both of them have big-play abilities but their running style is a little bit different. Both are very, very dangerous in what they do."

James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.