One of Auburn’s top players expects to be a full participant in this weekend’s top-10 matchup with Georgia.
Senior defensive end and team captain Big Kat Bryant was limited to only a few snaps in the Tigers’ season-opening win against Kentucky due to an ankle injury he suffered last week in practice and pregame Saturday.
Bryant participated in practice Tuesday and said he is “feeling great” ahead of the 126th edition of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
“I’m definitely going to be out there Saturday,” Bryant said. “So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Bryant may have only played a handful of snaps in the second half, but his presence was notable as the younger plays fed off of his energy and experience.
“I think my presence out there kind of affected the team, the guys up front a little bit,” Bryant said. “Just maybe playing a little harder in the second half. That’s just what I got from it from watching on the sideline.”
Auburn is facing several other injuries as well as Jay Hardy, Marco Domio, Dre Butler, Daniel Foster-Allen, Shedrick Jackson, and Brandon Frazier were all out last week and startiing corner Jaylin Simpson left with an injury in the second half during his SEC Freshman of the Week performence.
Malzahn gave them all the same status ahead of the big matchup Saturday.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll have everybody back,” Malzahn said. “There were a lot of guys that didn’t get a chance to play that we’re hopeful for this week.”