Though it’s unclear how much — if any — either Austin Keys or Keionte Scott will participate in Saturday’s upcoming game against No. 13 Ole Miss, if Tuesday afternoon’s practice was any indication, it appears both Auburn defenders are trending in the right direction.

Keys, an Ole Miss transfer linebacker, suffered a thumb injury that required surgery in the first game of the season against UMass. He’s been very limited ever since and Tuesday afternoon was the first time Keys participated in practice after getting his cast removed.

“Austin Keys, I know he got out of his cast,” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said Monday. “I do not think he will be back this week but is getting closer.”

While Keys was without a non-contact jersey on Tuesday, his right thumb still remained heavily wrapped.

Meanwhile, after having tight-rope surgery on Sept. 18 to treat a high-ankle sprain sustained early in the game against Samford, Scott — a junior defensive back — returned to action on Tuesday afternoon. Scott did not wear a non-contact jersey.

Freeze said Monday that he was hoping to get good news on Scott, adding that “he makes a huge difference in our leadership.”

Again, it’s unclear if Keys and Scott’s participation in Tuesday’s practice indicates that both or either of them will be available against the Rebels Saturday night. Though it goes without saying, the availability of either of them would be huge considering the up-tempo tendencies of the Ole Miss offense.

Veteran safety Jaylin Simpson — who dealt with a calf injury last week but played some against LSU — was said to still not be 100% on Monday, but was still a full participant during the open period of Tuesday’s practice.

On the offensive side of the practice field, sophomore running back Damari Alston still sported a yellow, non-contact jersey and wore protection on his upper right arm/shoulder after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the first half against Texas A&M.

When asked for injury updates on Monday, Freeze didn’t sound like he was holding his breath on Alston’s return.

“It does not look good for Damari (Alston),” Freeze said.