Keldric Faulk 'ready to go' against Alabama

Auburn appears to be in line to have one of its top defensive players back for the Iron Bowl.

Team captain and defensive end Keldric Faulk left the Mercer game with an injury, but the injury is not expected to linger according to interim head coach DJ Durkin.

“Keldric, he’ll be ready to go,” Durkin said. “He just got dinged up a little bit. We made a decision at that point in the game where we don’t need to keep playing him in that game based on the situation.”

Faulk arrived on the Plains in 2023 remains one of the most impactful players on defense for Auburn. He’s tallied 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks this season and is projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

There were a few additional players banged up in the Mercer game, but Durkin expects everyone to be healthy.

“No concerns,” Durkin said. “We did have a couple guys that didn’t get banged up in that, but I think that won’t be visible through the week right now.”

With no classes this week, he hopes his team can take full advantage and prepare like a professional.

“It’s late in the season,” Durkin said. “There’s not one guy in there that feels 100%. You go through an SEC season, you’re gonna be banged up. You get an extra opportunity now without other things — classes, and tutors — to take advantage of the training room. Get off your feet and rest, eat right and all those things we’re talking about.”

Auburn and Alabama kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CST on ABC.