Leading up to Auburn’s season opener, head coach Gus Malzahn indicated the team would not lose any players due to suspension or injury against Georgia Southern.

Apparently, that was pure gamesmanship by Malzahn, as starting running back Kam Pettway and starting receiver Kyle Davis were both held out for unknown reasons. Backup quarterback Sean White was also held out for the game.

Following the team’s season-opening win against the Eagles, Malzahn addressed the status of the three players to start his postgame press conference.

“We held out three of our players, Kam Pettway, Kyle Davis and Sean White,” Malzahn said without giving much of an explanation. He did add this note, “That’s completely between me and them.”

Well, that explains a lot.

Good news for Tiger fans eager for next weekend’s matchup against the defending national champions, as Auburn is scheduled to travel to Clemson. Malzahn said two of the players would return to the lineup for the game.

“Kam Pettway and Kyle Davis will be back next week. Sean White will be back Week 3,” Malzahn revealed.