AUBURN, Ala. — Injured Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson is expected to play Saturday at Ole Miss.

Johnson, who injured his ankle Oct. 8 in the first quarter against Mississippi State, did not play in Auburn's 56-3 victory against Arkansas last week. He was available to play, according to a source.

"The good thing is we didn't have to play him last week," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday. I thought that was very important moving forward, not just this game but the rest of the year. At this point, I would expect him to play. I think he's moving closer to 100 percent each day. After today's practice, I'll be able to confirm.

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Malzahn cautioned there is plenty of time between today and the kickoff at 6:15 p.m. CT Saturday at Ole Miss.

Johnson entered last week as Auburn's leading running back with 538 yards, but Kamryn Pettway surpassed him with a career-high 192 yards against Arkansas.