AUBURN, Ala. -- Gus Malzahn announced Tuesday that tailback Kamryn Pettway will play in Saturday's Iron Bowl, but the Auburn Tigers coach wasn't yet ready to name a starting quarterback.
Pettway is currently second in the SEC with 1,106 rushing yards despite missing the past two games with a quad injury he suffered in the second half against Vanderbilt. Prior to the injury, the sophomore had rushed for more than 150 yards in four straight games -- all against SEC opponents.
"He's one of our impact players," Malzahn said. "He's one of the best running backs in all of college football and one of the best in our league. Anytime you have a guy like that back, it changes things. It changes things in a good way for us."
At quarterback, it's a little more uncertain. Sean White, the team's normal starter, reinjured his shoulder two weeks ago in a loss at Georgia and sat out this past Saturday's game against Alabama A&M. Senior Jeremy Johnson got the start in his place, and junior-college transfer John Franklin III also took some snaps in the second half.
White was able to do some light throwing in Monday's practice, but Malzahn wants to see how his quarterback fares in practice Tuesday and Wednesday before making a decision for the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
"You do what's best for your team," Malzahn said. "You never want to make a decision early and be wrong [rather] than wait later and you give a chance to see exactly Sean's status and everything that goes with that."
Auburn will get Chandler Cox back at H-back this Saturday. Cox, who missed the Alabama A&M game due to injury, is an integral part of the offense.