Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway will likely miss next week's Iron Bowl.

Coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday during his weekly appearance on the "Tiger Talk" radio show that Pettway will not play this weekend against ULM and will "probably" be ruled out for the Tigers' annual rivalry against top-ranked Alabama due to his injured scapula.

"We're pretty healthy right now," Malzahn said. "I mean obviously, Kamryn Pettway won't be with us this week and probably not next week too. Besides that, I think we're ready to go."

Pettway, who led the SEC in rushing yards per game a year ago, has had his redshirt junior season derailed by suspensions and injuries. He has appeared in just five games, totaling 305 yards and six touchdowns on 76 carries.

Pettway missed the season opener due to a suspension before dealing with heel and ankle injuries early in the year. He played through plantar fasciitis against Clemson and sustained an ankle injury late in a 34-carry effort against Mercer in Week 3. Auburn spent the next four weeks wavering between holding him out and using him in a limited capacity at less than 100 percent.

Pettway returned and had his most productive game of the season against Arkansas last month, rushing for 90 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, but fractured his shoulder blade in the Tigers' 52-20 win and has not played in the last two games.

In Pettway's absence, Kerryon Johnson has emerged as the SEC's leading rusher this season. The junior has rushed for 1,035 yards and 17 total touchdowns (two receiving) on 198 carries despite missing 2 1/2 games due to a hamstring injury early in the season.

Sixth-ranked Auburn hosts Sun Belt foe ULM this weekend at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 before next weekend's winner-take-all Iron Bowl against Alabama (2:30 p.m., CBS) to decide the SEC West.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.