Lane Kiffin anticipates Jordan Watkins playing for Ole Miss against Auburn

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin opened his Monday press conference with some good news regarding an injury to receiver Jordan Watkins. The senior reportedly suffered the injury in practice this past week during the Rebels’ bye week.

Fortunately, as of Monday, it doesn’t seem as if it will keep him out of the upcoming road contest against Auburn on Saturday. According to a brief update from Kiffin, the team is preparing as if Watkins will be available.

“We anticipate him playing,” the coach said. “That’s all I got for you.”

Watkins has been the leading receiver for Ole Miss this season with 36 catches for 536 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Not only is that already a career-high in yardage, but it ranks him eighth in the SEC.

Watkins has reached the 100-yard mark in three games so far this year, including a Week 5 win against LSU when he finished with five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. His status will be one to monitor throughout this week, but barring any setbacks he should be ready to go.

If Watkins does miss, the Rebels could turn to Zakhari Franklin to fill that role. The UTSA transfer missed the first three games of the season before returning for the start of SEC play in Week 4. He has played a limited role thus far with two catches for 23 yards on the year.

Jordan Watkins isn’t the only injury to monitor in the Ole Miss receiving room. Tre Harris left Week 6 against Arkansas with a lower-body injury and did not return to the game. He’s so far been one of the top targets for quarterback Jaxson Dart this season, hauling in a team-best six touchdown on 17 catches for 367 yards.

Kiffin said postgame that he didn’t expect the injury to impact Harris heading into Week 8 against Auburn.

“I think this is really good timing for a bye with Tre,” Kiffin said. “I would anticipate that by the time we play, he’d be fine.”

All that in mind, Ole Miss will hope to have its receiving room mostly healthy heading into the game this weekend. The Rebels have so far ranked fourth in the SEC with 306.0 passing yards per game and should continue to find success through the air if Watkins and Harris are available.

Kickoff between Ole Miss and Auburn is set for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.