AUBURN — Auburn's bowl practices kicked off Thursday, and the Tigers were without one of their top defensive linemen.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Nick Coe was held out of practice. Coe underwent an offseason surgery on his hand that had been nagging him throughout the 2018 season. Coe sat out the Liberty game earlier this season. It was his only absence all season. He wore a club on his right hand toward the end of the season.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn wouldn't completely rule Coe out for the Music City Bowl against Purdue, but it's trending that direction.

"Nick Coe, obviously, had surgery. But I expect everybody else to be ready to go," Malzahn said. "At this point, he's doubtful. That's probably the best way to put it."

Coe started 11 games for Auburn this season as one of the team's defensive ends. The redshirt sophomore recorded 16 tackles, 6 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries. Coe posted on Instagram last week what would appear to be a declaration he will return for his redshirt junior season in 2019.