The Auburn Tigers are trying to get back off the mat following a domination at the hands of LSU at home last week, but the challenge does not get any easier with a trip to Ole Miss this weekend.

Unfortunately for Auburn, the Rebels have looked like one of the best teams in the SEC for significant portions of the year. Coming off a loss of their own at Texas, Ole Miss is going to be hungry to get back in the win column. It’s a huge test for the Tigers and one to where it would take their absolute best game.

With that all being said, the Tigers’ defense is getting a major break with the news that the Rebels’ running back — who is one of the best in the entire country — is not going to be on the field.

Kewan Lacy has been dealing with various issues all season long, and after dislocating his left shoulder in the loss to Texas, he is not going to play in this game against Auburn.

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy dislocated his left shoulder against Texas and won't play against Auburn, per Pete Golding.https://t.co/57rUhD34B0 pic.twitter.com/o8LJ78m59v

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) October 26, 2026

Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin was asked about Lacy being missing from the Ole Miss lineup this week and how that could change things for the Tigers, and while Auburn knows how good he is, it does not seem like things change much from a schematic standpoint.

“Obviously, he’s a phenomenal player. I don’t think it changes what they do offensively in terms of their scheme, their system and what they do,” Durkin said. “He’s a fantastic football player in a lot of ways, but we also have film of the guys behind him as well. He’s been in and out throughout the year, and they have a really talented running back room. All of those guys have the capability to function the way they want in that offense.”

Part of that may be coach speak and Durkin is certainly happy to not have to face Lacy, but he is correct in saying he is far from the only player capable of hurting Auburn on this Ole Miss offense.

It’s a massive challenge for the Tigers, but one that just got at least a little bit easier.