Pappoe a ‘game-time’ decision

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Owen Pappoe a ‘game-time’ decision for Auburn vs. Georgia

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

2-3 minutes

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Sep 18, 2021; University Park, PA, USA; Owen Pappoe (0) tackling between Auburn and Penn State at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin remains hopeful that Owen Pappoe will return to the field this weekend for Auburn, but the junior linebacker’s availability remains in the air for Saturday’s game against Georgia.

Pappoe, one of Auburn’s two permanent team captains, has missed the last two games against Georgia State and LSU after sustaining a lower-body injury in Week 3 at Penn State. He was limited in practice last week and made the trip to Baton Rouge, La., but he did not dress out during Auburn’s 24-19 win against LSU.

Whether Pappoe suits up this weekend for Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff against No. 2 Georgia will apparently be a game-time decision.

“I hope he does (play) this week,” Harsin said. “I hope that he would’ve last week as well. It’s just — it kind of comes down to game time.”

Pappoe, who sustained an injury early in the second half against Penn State and did not return to the field, has 15 total tackles, with two for a loss and a pair of quarterback hurries, in three games this season.

Harsin was also asked if star running back Tank Bigsby has been slowed by an injury in recent weeks after opening the season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. Bigsby has just 87 yards on 27 carries the last two weeks, including 27 yards on nine touches during Auburn’s win at LSU.

“As far as Tank goes, he’s fine,” Harsin said. “Everybody that was on that trip was able to play. We hoped that Owen was. We’ll see where he’s at this week. We fully expect him to be out there and ready to go.”

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.