The Auburn Tigers are gearing up for their season opener this Saturday against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, with a largely healthy roster despite some minor injury concerns. Head coach Hugh Freeze recently provided an update on key players Austin Keys and Keionte Scott.
Freeze indicated that the medical team views linebacker Austin Keys as a probable starter, though his status is still day-to-day. Keys, who was Auburn’s highest-rated linebacker last season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.8, suffered a sprained MCL during the first preseason scrimmage.
He had a challenging season last year due to a broken thumb, which caused him to miss five games.
The team will need to see how Keys performs in upcoming practices on Tuesday and Wednesday to make a final decision about his availability for the game.
Cornerback Keionte Scott is also dealing with a minor injury, a hamstring issue, but is expected to be ready for the game. Scott is set to return as a starting cornerback this season, following a previous season where he recorded 42 tackles but no interceptions.
Auburn is relying on him to provide leadership in the secondary, which is expected to be a relatively inexperienced group this year.
While both players are currently listed as probable, suggesting a good chance they will be able to play on Saturday, Freeze has stressed the importance of not rushing their return. The final decision on their participation will be made closer to game time. Despite the uncertainties, Freeze’s update offers a sense of cautious optimism regarding their potential involvement in the season opener.
Leave a Reply