Auburn’s starting quarterback has had an up-and-down tenure with the Tigers, but beating Alabama would secure his legacy in the program.

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne’s status is uncertain for Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe. Tigers coach Hugh Freeze said Thorne did not practice during the open date last week after injuring his right, throwing shoulder in a loss to Vanderbilt and that it’s still not fully healed.

That loss was also Thorne's fifth-straight start. He was benched in favor of redshirt freshman Hank Brown for Auburn's Week 3 win against New Mexico after Thorne threw four interceptions in the Tigers' loss to Cal the week prior.

While it isn't his best game by the numbers, he arguably made his biggest statement in an Auburn uniform against in Saturday's win

After missing practice during Auburn’s bye week due to a shoulder injury, Payton Thorne is expected to start against Louisiana-Monroe, according to a report from 247Sports. Thorne suffered the injury to his throwing shoulder during the second half of Auburn’s loss to Vanderbilt on Nov.

Just one week after throwing five touchdown passes, Thorne got off to a splendid start versus Texas A&M. The senior signal-caller completed seven of nine attempts (77.8%) for 190 yards and two scores in the first half against the Aggies. Both touchdown tosses – a 63-yard connection and 15-yard hook up – went to wide receiver Cam Coleman.