AUBURN NOTEBOOK: Tuberville: Burns not ready

Kodi Burns was healthy enough to practice Thursday, for the third consecutive day. But according to head coach Tommy Tuberville, there’s no guarantee the sophomore will be ready to play Saturday against Southern Miss.

“It’s going to be a game-time decision,” Tuberville said. “He’s got to get better. He’s not 100 percent.”

Burns suffered a cut on his left leg last weekend against Louisiana-Monroe. The cut — described by Tuberville as long, but not deep — required several stitches.

Tuberville described the injury as “a flesh wound,” and said Burns hadn’t suffered much swelling around the cut.

The injury could prevent Burns from being his usual effective self as a runner. Tuberville has said if Burns can’t “protect himself” by moving naturally, he won’t play.

Thursday, Burns ran well, according to Tuberville, but wasn’t himself.

“He didn’t have the burst like he normally has,” Tuberville said.

Regardless of Burns’ health, junior Chris Todd is scheduled to start Saturday.

Gameplan the focus in practice
For the second consecutive day, Auburn’s starters spent the entire practice working against the scout teams. That’s unusual at AU; Tuberville prefers to have his first-team offense spend at least a few minutes practicing against the first-team defense in each practice.

“This has been a week of trying to just work for ourselves, trying to work on the little things,” Tuberville said.

But after the passing game struggled in last week’s season opener, the focus has been on improving the offense’s timing. That means working against the scout-team and focusing on the gameplan, rather than competing against the defense.

“You go against each other and you’re really not getting anything accomplished as far as what’s going to help you in the gameplan,” Tuberville said. “There’s limitations on being able to work on what you need to, because it limits you.”

The change isn’t permanent; Tuberville expects the team to return to starter-vs.-starter action as early as next week.

Injury report
Tuberville said defensive end A.J. Greene (hamstring) is “getting better,” but won’t play this week. Neither will offensive lineman Darrell Roseman (shins).

Fullback John Douglas (knee) is “doubtful,” according to Tuberville. Douglas missed the first three practices of the week, but participated in some drills Thursday.

Offensive lineman Kyle Coulahan (flu-like symptoms) will dress out, but isn’t likely to play.

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