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Kerryon Johnson has been one of the SEC’s most productive players this season. He is second in the conference in rushing yards (1,276) and rushing touchdowns (17) and, having played 10 games, leads the league in yards per game (127.6).
His presence undoubtedly takes Auburn’s offense to another level, but the junior running back also has had some injuries.
Johnson missed Weeks 2 and 3 — including a matchup against No. 2 Clemson — with a hamstring injury. He also missed one game in 2016 with an ankle injury, then suffered a second sprained ankle in the spring.
That unfortunate luck continued Saturday against Alabama, as Johnson is believed to have suffered a shoulder injury against the Tide.
On Sunday, head coach Gus Malzahn didn’t seem confident that Johnson could go, though the running back said he is going to try.
“I’m not sure if he’s going to be able to practice tonight or not,” Malzahn said, according to Auburn Undercover. “We’ll see. We’ll check on him daily and see what his status is. Right now it’s really hard to say.”
What happens if the star running back can’t play in Saturday’s rematch against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game?
Well, one player who won’t is last year’s starter, Kamryn Pettway. He has missed the past four games with a fractured shoulder blade that he suffered against Arkansas back in Week 8, and he still hasn’t recovered.
Here are some of the options who should available for the Tigers.
Kam Martin, sophomore
Martin is the best bet to see the most touches at running back if Johnson has to sit out.
At only 5 feet 10, 182 pounds, Martin isn’t built to handle large workloads. That said, he still has been asked to take a significant portion of the carries at times.
The sophomore has seen 10-plus carries five times in his 16 games for the Tigers, including a 21-carry, 176-yard performance against Alabama A&M last season.
Martin has had 64 carries for 409 yards and two touchdowns in 2017. His 6.39-yard average leads all Tigers running backs. As important, he has hauled in three catches for 56 yards, including this touchdown against Louisiana Monroe.
Kam Martin helps out his quarterback pic.twitter.com/4tVMvfMGRh
— AU 26 AL 14 (@SkyeUnderwood) November 18, 2017
The biggest question surrounding Martin is will he be 100 percent?
After coming in for Johnson against Alabama, Martin suffered an injury as well — but to his ankle. He returned the following drive, but with his lack of size, Martin’s speed is crucial to his success.
Malik Miller, redshirt freshman
Outside of Pettway, Miller is the biggest Auburn running back. Miller, at 5-11, 225, has a thick frame which provides him the power to hold up against SEC defenses.
Miller was set to contribute for the Tigers in a rotational role as a true freshman, but a knee injury cut short his 2016 season.
This year Miller has only seen 32 carries, due to Johnson’s emergence as the team’s workhorse, and has gained 129 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and scored a touchdown.
If Martin sees plenty of looks as the starter, Miller could see his fair share of touches as a capable change-of-pace guy.
Devan Barrett, freshman
Barrett is the young gun of the group, but has a great combination of pedigree and speed.
The Tampa, Fla., native was a 4-star prospect according to 247Sports, and while he isn’t that big (6-0, 185) he’s an excellent slash runner who could do some damage.
Love this run by Devan Barrett. Nothing flashy but I believe most young backs would have kept going outside with the run. Barrett sees the first down yardage in front of him so he turns up to get it and moves the chains. pic.twitter.com/GxTKWshJ72
— Zac Blackerby (@Zblackerby) November 19, 2017
This season, Barrett has only seen 13 carries, but he has turned that into 82 yards, or 6.31 per carry.
Chandler Cox, junior
Cox is the fullback, but could see some time at tailback if Johnson can’t go.
He only has one carry — for no yards — on the season, but has five receptions for 34 yards.
Cox would probably see his usage expanded only to pass protection duties in shotgun formations in the same way that he was used against Alabama after Johnson’s injury.
Clint helps cover the SEC West for Saturday Down South. His work can also be found on USA TODAY Sports, The 'Bama Beat podcast and The Bullpen with TonyMac and The Lamb. Previous stops include SEC Country, 247Sports and Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
