Auburn is "hopeful" Marlon Davidson will return to the field against Missouri this week.

"Yeah, he practiced (Tuesday)," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We're hopeful."

The sophomore defensive end missed last week's game with Mercer due to undisclosed reasons. Malzahn declined to elaborate as to why Davidson, who missed several weeks of fall camp due to a left knee injury, was held out last week.

Davidson has seven tackles with three for loss including two sacks and a forced fumble this season.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said Davidson was not given the game off last week.

"We don't do that," Steele said. "We're not the NBA. We're not doing that."