Auburn evaluating injuries before Ole Miss

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Auburn evaluating injuries before Ole Miss

By Giana Han

4-5 minutes

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Jaylin Simpson (26) and Owen Pappoe (0) Auburn football practice in helmets on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics

This week of practice is an important one for the secondary. It’s going to help determine whether cornerbacks Jaylin Simpson and Marco Domio are ready to help provide some depth as Auburn prepares for Ole Miss.

“I think this is a big week for both of them to get back on the practice field and making sure they’re healthy enough to play,” coach Gus Malzahn said.

Simpson had won the starting cornerback position at the end of fall camp but was immediately injured after winning SEC Freshman of the week. He returned against South Carolina, but his participation was limited, and he didn’t make any tackles.

Domio also contended for the starting cornerback position, and his teammates spoke highly of him throughout the fall. However, he never made it onto the field as he battled a groin injury. A few weeks ago, Malzahn said he returned to practice, but he still hasn’t seen gametime. Domio’s mom, Tina Domio, said he came back a little too early, so they’re playing it safe. He’s definitely practicing this week, Malzahn said, but they’re still evaluating how ready he is.

The secondary could use both of their help. It was already young, but it’s also lost a lot of depth over the course of the first few games. Safeties Smoke Monday and Jamien Sherwood, as well as cornerback Roger McCreary have had to play almost every snap.

Injuries have decimated the defense’s depth, beyond the secondary. The linebackers lost team captain and All-SEC player K.J. Britt when he had to have thumb surgery. The defensive line currently has all its starters, but many of the players behind them are injured.

Both defensive end Zykeivous Walker and defensive tackle Dre Butler got banged up in practice last week. Defensive tackle Marquis Burks has been sick, and defensive end Jay Hardy has been battling an ankle injury.

With those guys out, defensive linemen Tyrone Truesdell and Daquan Newkirk have had to play a lot of snaps. It’s a very different look than the way Auburn usually plays, with multiple linemen rotating in and out.

“Hopefully, we can get to a point where some of the other guys can fill in where needed,” Malzahn said.

Offensively, Auburn is looking a little healthier. The Tigers got wide receiver Eli Stove back against South Carolina, and he had a great game. Austin Troxell also returned to the line.

The running backs are the last group that really need to get healthy. While freshman Tank Bigsby has been doing well in the run game, it would help a lot for D.J. Williams and Shaun Shivers to get back to full health. Williams has been playing, but he’s also been battling a toe injury. Malzahn thinks he’s almost 100 percent.

“I think he was closer Saturday,” Malzahn said.

Shaun Shivers is a bigger question mark. For the past few weeks, Malzahn has said he’s hopeful Shivers will be ready to go each Saturday. But Shivers has not played since the season opener against Kentucky. He was the team’s starter that game, but more than that, he’s one of the team captains.

“That’ll definitely help when he gets back,” Malzahn said. “He’s in a great spot.”

 

i like this Giana Han person for covering Auburn. she seems to be pretty fair. i say this because unless you pay for Auburn info al.com is pretty much all we have for daily coverage and it is nne to see them up their game some.