Johni Broome injury update: Latest on Auburn star ahead of game vs. Tennessee

Johni Broome could return for No. 1 Auburn’s matchup with No. 6 Tennessee, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Broom’s been dealing with an ankle injury.

“There’s a possibility he returns for the first time since Jan. 11 for No. 1 Auburn against No. 6 Tennessee, but his status is questionable and a decision is expected close to game-time,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “If Broome does play, it would be limited minutes.”

As Thamel noted, Broome would be limited in his return. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl told him that Broome practiced “some” Friday with a heavily taped ankle.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Broome has missed the past two games against Mississippi State and Georgia since suffering a significant ankle injury in the second half of the Tigers’ 66-63 win over South Carolina on Jan. 11. The talented big man went up for a rebound and landed on Chaney Johnson’s foot, rolling his ankle in the process.

No. 1 Auburn (17-1, 5-0 SEC) enters Saturday night’s SEC showdown vs. No. 6 Tennessee (17-2, 4-2) at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN having won 10 straight since the Tigers’ lone loss this season, 84-78, vs. No. 9 Duke on Dec. 4.

Despite missing time, Broome still leads Auburn in five major statistical categories this season, averaging 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 blocks, and a team-high 27.4 minutes per game. The ankle sprain is the second injury Broome has suffered this season. He also had a shoulder injury late in non-conference play.

Auburn hasn’t missed a beat since losing Broome, outscoring No. 15 Mississippi State by 22 (88-66) and escaping Athens with a 70-68 win over No. 23 Georgia last Saturday. Through it all, the Tigers have maintained their SEC-leading plus-19.6 point differential and 50.2 field goal percentage, while ranking third in the league averaging 85.7 points per game this season.

Alex Byington contributed to this report