Auburn received positive news about its two Dariuses ahead of the team's SEC opener against Missouri.
Coach Gus Malzahn was optimistic about the statuses of wide receiver Darius Slayton and right tackle Darius James on Wednesday, just three days before the team travels to Columbia, Mo., to face Missouri at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Slayton missed last weekend's game against Mercer due to an undisclosed injury he sustained in the season opener against Georgia Southern. He was also limited in Week 2 against Clemson, but Malzahn said he was able to practice on Tuesday.
"We expect him to play," Malzahn said on the SEC coaches teleconference.
James' status isn't as firm.
The right tackle was carted off the field midway through the second quarter after sustaining a scary-looking neck injury against Mercer last weekend. James was taken to the hospital for further testing, where he had full movement in his extremities and deemed to be OK.
James returned to practice Sunday and was in a non-contact jersey during Tuesday's practice. Malzahn said the 6-foot-4, 324-pounder who started the first three games of the season at right tackle will be full contact during Wednesday's practice, and his availability will be determined later in the week.
"We're hopeful with him," Malzahn said.