Hugh Freeze doesn’t have good injury news on Auburn’s defensive leader

Hugh Freeze didn’t have good news on the injury front regarding Auburn football defensive leader in the secondary, Keionte Scott — indicating that the Tigers cornerback would need surgery and would be out a “considerable amount of time.”

“Keionte did not get a good report and that hurts us a lot,” Freeze said (h/t On3’s Justin Hokanson). “He’s our leader back there. He’s going to have surgery (Monday). Our prayers are with him for quick healing. We’ll be without him for considerable time.” Scott is among the many injuries plaguing the Plains after a Week 3 victory over Samford on September 16.

“Big takeaway from the (Samford) game is injuries — Kam Stutts, Nehemiah Pritchett, Donovan Kaufman, Keionte Scott, Izavion Miller, Jalen McLeod, Ja’Varrius Johnson, and Jarquez Hunter all either missed tonight’s game, were injured or further banged up during. Auburn has to get healthy ASAP,” Hokanson said post-game.

Injuries have not derailed Auburn football during the 2023 season — yet

While a suspension to Jarquez Hunter seemed like it could take the RB1 from the Tigers, it only ended up causing him to miss Week 1 against UMass. Nehemiah Pritchett has not debuted due to injury, though that could be precautionary during the early portion of the season’s non-conference slate. Ditto for Cincinnati transfer Nick Mardner.

Thus far, there have been absences, but they’ve not caused AU to be at any risk of losing. The only time that’s been the case this season, in Week 2 against Cal in Berkeley, was because the offense simply had no rhythm in their two-QB system.

Injuries seem likely to have more of an effect now that the margins of error are thin. It’s never easy to tell just how much of an impact an absence can have, but the injury woes seem to be kicking into overdrive at the worst possible time for the Tigers.