AUBURN AUTHORITY

D'haquille Williams returns to practice

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn wide receiver D'haquille Williams (1) is tackled by Mississippi State Kivon Coman (11) during the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, between Auburn and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

TAMPA -- For the first time in 29 days, D'haquille Williams returned to the football field.

Auburn's leading wide receiver, who last saw a field in the Iron Bowl, missed all seven bowl practices in Auburn and Saturday's practice in Tampa after "running late" in his trip to the Sunshine state but participated in practice Sunday.

"Got in (Saturday), practiced (Sunday) and went good," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said.

It's still unclear whether Williams, who leads Auburn with 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns, will play in Thursday's Outback Bowl.

Lashlee deferred to Auburn coach Gus Malzahn regarding Williams' playing status and how his vision is, after suffering an apparent left eye injury.

"Yeah, coach will address all that (Monday)," Lashlee said.

Williams was photographed with quarterbacks Nick Marshall and Jeremy Johnson on Saturday night. His eye, which was half red with blood in an image Williams posted and later deleted from Instagram last week, appeared to have cleared up.

If Williams does not play against Wisconsin, the Tigers will turn to Melvin Ray (seven receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown) and C.J. Uzomah (10 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns) and possibly Tony Stevens (one reception for 22 yards), to fill the split-5 role in Malzahn's Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense.

Ray was one of the unlikely contributors in last year's BCS National Championship game with his 50-yard touchdown grab.

"Melvin has been steady all year," Lashlee said. "I know he hasn't gotten as many balls as probably as he deserves to be honest with you because he does all the little things right and when he has gotten the ball thrown his way, he's made a play every time. I've got a lot of faith in Melvin."

Stevens, a sophomore, has been seldom used this season and had just give catches for 68 yards as a true freshman in 2013.

"He hasn't played a ton in those two years but he's not a young guy anymore," Lashlee said." He's been making some plays lately in practice, which gives you a lot of confidence. I know the quarterback has got confidence in him and if he gets his number called, he'll make some plays."