Bryan Harsin updates the health status of injured Auburn linebacker

It’s been more than a month since Auburn star linebacker Owen Pappoe suited up for the Tigers. Head coach Bryan Harsin gave his weekly update on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference.

“I’ll give you the same answer, I hope he’s ready to go,” Harsin said. “We need him. I think this is a good time, at least for him, with this bye week to really give us a chance to, not just with Owen, with other guys … Everybody’s got guys this time of year banged up. Hopefully, they’re able to play if it’s not season-ending. We’re still sharpening ourselves every day but we’re also trying to be smart and giving guys a chance to recover.

“My hope is Owen is ready to go by Ole Miss. I think Chandler (Wooten) and Zakoby (McClain) have been very good for us. They’ve been playing really, really good football and getting Owen back in the mix will help that rotation. I know Owen wants to be out there and he wants to play. He’s done everything that he can to help his teammates out. He’s into it so hopefully this week we can get him to the level he needs to be at to play.”

Owen Pappoe, a junior for the Tigers, sustained a lower-body injury in Auburn’s Week 3 loss to Penn State and has been out ever since. In two and a half games, he had 15 tackles (eight solo).

Without the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native, Auburn has still gone 3-1 over the last four weeks. The only game the Tigers have dropped was to Georgia, the current No. 1 team in the nation.

Owen Pappoe has been a defensive leader at Auburn for three seasons and earned the title of team captain ahead of this year. Last season was his most productive in his three-year career with 93 tackles (56 solo), four sacks and an interception.

Harsin, Auburn face tough final stretch

Bryan Harsin and his squad are 5-2 in his first year at Auburn but face an uphill battle to close out the season.

Bowl eligibility isn’t a concern with Mississippi State and South Carolina still on the schedule. However, the Tigers risk losing three of their final five with games against No. 12 Ole Miss, No. 17 Texas A&M and No. 4 Alabama. The high-profile games also give Bryan Harsin a chance to play the spoiler if the No. 19 Tigers can find an upset or two. The Tigers host Ole Miss in Auburn but must travel to College Station in Week 10.

Auburn has the third toughest remaining schedule, the toughest left in the SEC as well. The Tigers’ schedule through Week 13 is only easier than Nebraska and Michigan State, according to Pro Football Focus.