It’s the bye week, so there can’t be any bad news for Auburn football, right? Wrong. Consider again. After dealing with difficult injuries all season, the Tigers now have another to add to the list following last weekend’s game against the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
Linebacker Austin Keys, who has a thumb injury, and nickel back Keionte Scott, who has a high ankle sprain, are both expected to be out for several weeks, and a few players were injured after hosting the Dawgs in Jordan-Hare.
According to head coach Hugh Freeze, defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite tore his bicep last weekend and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, according to Auburn Undercover:
“That’s going to really hurt us on the defensive line,” said Freeze.
Nasili-Kite, a senior, transferred from Maryland to Auburn during the offseason in early January and has been a key member of the Tigers’ defensive line all season. The DE has played more snaps than any other player at his position, and true freshman Keldric Faulk will likely have to step up in the coming weeks.
This season, Nasili-Kite has 10 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries.
While the Tigers’ head coach is likely to be focused on recruiting during the bye week, the players must focus on staying healthy for the remainder of the SEC schedule. Wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson (hamstring) and running back Damari Alston (shoulder) were both ruled out of the Georgia game, and cornerback Jaylin Simpson (calf) was injured during the game. Freeze is optimistic that all three will be able to play against LSU in Baton Rouge in two weeks.
Despite the injuries, Tiger fans are optimistic that Auburn will be able to pull off their first SEC victory on October 14.
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