It’s the bye week, so no bad news for Auburn football right? Wrong. Think again. After the Tigers have been dealing with tough injuries all season, there is another to pile on top after last weekend’s matchup with the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
Linebacker Austin Keys, dealing with a thumb injury, and nickel back Keionte Scott, dealing with a high ankle sprain, are expected to be out for several more weeks at least, and a few players got banged up after hosting the Dawgs in Jordan-Hare.
According to head coach Hugh Freeze, defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite suffered a torn bicep in last weekend’s game and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2023 season, per Auburn Undercover:
"“That’s going to really hurt us on the defensive line,” Freeze said."
Nasili-Kite, a senior, transferred into the Auburn football program from Maryland during the offseason in early January, and has been a key member of the Tiger’s defensive line all season long. The DE has played more snaps than any other player at his position, and we can expect to see true freshman Keldric Faulk have to step up in the coming weeks.
This season, Nasili-Kite has racked up 10 total tackles, and 0.5 tackles for loss in addition to two quarterback hurries.
While the Tigers’ head coach will likely be focused on recruiting during the bye week, the players will have to focus on getting healthy for the rest of the SEC slate. Wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson (hamstring) and running back Damari Alston (shoulder) both missed the Georgia matchup while cornerback Jaylin Simpson (calf) suffered an injury in the game. Freeze is hopeful that all three will be able to return in two weeks when the Tigers take on LSU in Baton Rouge.
Despite the injuries, Tiger fans are hopeful that Auburn will be able to work their magic and pick up their first SEC win on October 14.