Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive end Carl Lawson (55) reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn Tigers won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Kickoff is only two days away, but not every member of the Auburn Tigers or Arkansas Razorbacks will be able to take the field on Saturday. Here is this week’s injury report for both teams.
Auburn Tigers Injury Report
OL Alex Kozan – OUT (Back)
The bad news came out to Auburn fans on the first day of fall practice that returning starting left guard Alex Kozan – a Freshman All-American in 2013 – would miss the entire 2014 season after suffering a back injury over the summer.
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DE Carl Lawson – OUT (Knee)
Four months ago, Lawson underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL that the sophomore defensive lineman suffered during spring practice. According to this report from Joel A. Erickson of AL.com, Lawson’s recovery is “coming on strong” and he expects to play this season. He will not play Saturday, however.
QB Nick Marshall – Probable (Suspension)
Marshall will not start, but will play on Saturday, according to head coach Gus Malzahn. The senior quarterback and pre-season first team All-SEC selection was cited for marijuana possession this summer.
CB Jonathon Mincy – Probable (Suspension, Shoulder)
Like Marshall, senior cornerback Jonathon Mincy will not start, but will play against the Razorbacks. Also like Marshall, Mincy is facing punishment for a marijuana-related incident this summer. He did suffer a minor shoulder injury in fall camp, but appears to be full speed for Saturday. Both Marshall and Mincy were listed as starters on this week’s depth chart, so they will each be expected to return to their full-time roles in the weeks to come.
STAR Robenson Therezie – Doubtful (Eligibility)
We do not know specific details surrounding Therezie’s status as it relates to “eligibility concerns,” but when the Tigers released the official depth chart for the week, the senior returning starter was not listed at all. Neither Malzahn nor the university have offered any official word on Therezie. With the E-word in play, do not expect to see #27 this weekend.
DE Davonte Lambert – Probable – (Back Spasms)
Betsided
The junior college transfer has dealt with a nagging back spasm problem for the majority of fall camp, and has missed practice time. He should be ready for Saturday, however.
DE Ladarius Owens – Probable – (Leg Infection)
Owens, a starter in 2013, is listed as a second teamer on this week’s depth chart. He has missed several practices this fall, but is now healthy enough to play against Arkansas.
BS Derrick Moncrief – Probable (Illness)
The junior college transfer missed several practices early in fall camp with an illness. The missed time likely contributed to Moncrief’s demotion to the second team boundary safety behind Rudy Ford. Moncrief will play Saturday.
FB Gage Batten – OUT
It was announced in mid August that Batten had suffered an injury that put his season in jeopardy. He is likely out for the season, though there has not been any official word on his condition,
FB Patrick Young – OUT (Knee)
Young was injured during fall camp and will miss the entire 2014 season.
Arkansas Razorbacks Injury Report
DE Deatrich Wise – Probable (Knee)
Wise is expected to start for the Razorbacks on Saturday, and was listed as a co-starter on the team’s official depth chart. The sophomore missed time with a knee sprain in fall camp, but returned to practice more than a week ago, and was reportedly at full speed this week in practice.
According to a mid-August Arkansas News injury report, the following players were all dealing with nagging injuries and absent from a team scrimmage on August 16. However, all are expected to play against Auburn.
"RB Jonathan Williams (hamstring), TE AJ Derby (knee), DE Deatrich Wise (knee), RG Denver Kirkland (head injury), LB Brooks Ellis (knee cap), CB Tevin Mitchel (hamstring), RB Kody Walker (undisclosed), RB Juan Day (hamstring), S Davyon McKinney (undisclosed).Bielema said most of the injured players should be back in time for Arkansas’ preparation for the season opener at Auburn.“This past week was by far our hardest work week,” Bielema said. “We had three double days in there. A lot of guys got nicked up during the course of the week, fortunately nobody that I don’t think won’t join us for Auburn.”Kirkland was injured in a collision with offensive lineman Reeve Koehler last Thursday. Bielema didn’t call it a concussion, but said Kirkland had a “significant headache.” Junior college transfer Sebastian Tretola worked with the first-team offensive line in Kirkland’s place Saturday.Ellis aggravated a kneecap injury he sustained in high school and was held out of the scrimmage. Junior college transfer Josh Williams, who was elevated to second-team work after Otha Peters’ departure, worked with the starters.“I think Josh has got really good football instincts,” Bielema said. “We even popped him in at fullback the other day. He’s an extremely physical player. He’s another kid that’s very, very football savvy. He gets the game. He understands it.”"