Auburn received some promising news with three days to go before its road game against rival Georgia.

Injured running back Kamryn Pettway, who leads the SEC in rushing this season, returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his leg late in last week's win against Vanderbilt.

"He was out there today," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "He was dressed out. At this point I'd say he's just day-to-day."

It's a more promising outlook for the 6-foot, 240-pound running back than earlier in the day, even. During Wednesday morning's SEC coaches teleconference, coach Gus Malzahn said Pettway was unable to practice Tuesday and he was uncertain if the third-year sophomore would be able to participate in Wednesday's session.

While Malzahn was uncertain about Pettway's practice availability, he seemed optimistic about Pettway's availability against Georgia even if he missed practice on Wednesday.

"It's not that hard this time of the year," Malzahn said. "Now earlier in the year... it would have been a challenge."

Now, however, it seems the odds of Pettway suiting up and taking the field in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry have increased.

Lashlee said Pettway was "able to do some things" during Wednesday's practice, lumping him in the same category as injured sophomore quarterback Sean White, whom Malzahn said would start against the Bulldogs.

"This time of year, and it's not just those two guys, there are a lot of guys, every team is banged up.; We all are," Lashlee said. "We're getting into Week (11) in our league and so you still have physicality things you do in practice but a lot of it is mental and trying to get your guys to the game. Knowing the game plan but fresh and as healthy as they can be each week in and week out.

"It's no different with those two guys and even some other guys we have."

Pettway has rushed for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns this season, leading the SEC in rushing yards. He is averaging 6.39 yards per carry and 138.25 yards per game -- which ranks fourth nationally. He is the 10th Auburn player to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing plateau since 2009.

The third-year sophomore, who had not recorded a college carry prior to this season, has rushed for at least 150 yards in each of the last four games, a feat that had not been accomplished by an Auburn player since former Heisman winner Bo Jackson did it.

He rushed for 173 yards against Vanderbilt last week before pulling up on the back end of a 60-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Pettway hobbled off the field and did not return to the game, as Auburn held on late for its sixth straight win.

"Each day we kinda see how he's doing," Lashlee said, "and we're optimistic he'll be back very soon."