Champ Anthony can't buy any luck.
The safety returned against Baylor in his first game since suffering a season-ending injury in Week 4 of the 2024 season. Now, Anthony will be out with another injury.
"Unfortunately, Champ suffered a broken thumb that will require surgery, so he will miss some time," Freeze said.
Anthony was seemingly on his way to a standout season last year before breaking his leg against Arkansas. Fully recovered, the Fort Worth, Texas, native got hurt again, albeit much less seriously than what he suffered last season.
In his place comes true freshman Eric Winters, who totaled three tackles in the Tigers' 38-24 victory over the Bears on Friday night.
"As far as more time, it's reasonable to expect that, for sure," Freeze said. "I think the opportunity is there for several guys. That was my challenge this morning, is men go have a great week. Those of you who didn't get the number of snaps that you hoped, go have a great week and make this a different week. Eric played a lot of snaps. It's a reasonable assumption if Champ's down, his snaps even go up more."
Starting running back Damari Alston also got dinged up against the Bears, but returned in time to throw a game-changing block on Jackson Arnold's game-clinching touchdown run. According to Freeze, Alston will be questionable for Saturday's game in Jordan-Hare Stadium against Ball State.
Defensive end Amaris Williams also went out, but the Auburn head coach had a brighter update on him.
"Amaris bounced back and got back in, so I think he's fine," he said.
As for the rest of the team's health, all seemed okay as the Tigers head into Week 2.
"There were a lot of bumps and bruises," Freeze said.