Auburn starting running back Kerryon Johnson will play against Ole Miss this weekend in Oxford, head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed.



"He practiced yesterday and he's really close (to 100 percent)," Malzahn said Wednesday during his appearance on the SEC Teleconference. "He will play this Saturday. There's no doubt about that. He's close. We're trying to be smart about it. Last week was really good, him not having to play."



Johnson rolled his ankle in the first quarter of Auburn's 38-14 win over Mississippi State in Starkville Oct. 8 and did not return to the game. After the bye week, Johnson dressed out for Auburn's game against Arkansas last Saturday but did not play.

Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said it was "huge" to have Johnson, who has 538 yards and six touchdowns this season, back and he was "available" last weekend.

"He was by no means 100 percent," Lashlee said. "We were just fortunate the way the game went, we were able to get him some more rest. But he's been able to practice every day this week. He's looking good. He obviously helps solidify the depth in the backfield."



When Johnson went down, Kamryn Pettway rushed for 361 yards and five touchdowns combined against Mississippi State and Arkansas.

No. 15 Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) will face Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3) at 6:15 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.