Bryan Harsin was asked about kicker Anders Carlson’s recovery from a serious knee injury, and the Auburn coach gave a positive update on Tuesday.

Carlson redshirted in 2017 and has been the starting kicker since 2018. Carlson is coming off ACL surgery in mid-November after he tore a ligament in his knee during an onside kick attempt in the fourth quarter of Auburn’s loss to Mississippi State.

“He was wearing his brace today on the kickoff,” Harsin said. “I don’t think he’s put everything into his swing yet, but he put it into the end zone. That’s the thing, he’s got the leg. So he’s an elite talent that way, but he’s — the thing about Anders, Anders is mature, Anders understands there’s a progression to all this, and by the time we’ve got to go play, he’ll be ready. He’s ready right now, but for his level, right. He can go out there and be as good as most kickers in the country right now. His level, and where he’s trying to put himself, there’s a progression to get there.”

Carlson last season made 14 of 21 field goals and 35 of 36 extra points in 10 games.

Carlson could be counted on this season to make more clutch kicks for Auburn to have a strong season.