Champ Anthony injury update: Hugh Freeze reveals Auburn DB's timeline for return after surgery

Auburn enjoyed a massive win against Baylor in its season opener, setting the pace for 2025. Unfortunately, some bad news did come from Waco as head coach Hugh Freeze revealed defensive back Champ Anthony broke his thumb. Surgery was required, meaning Anthony will miss some time.

Fast forward a couple of days and Freeze provided another update on Anthony. He revealed the timeline after Anthony underwent a successful procedure. Eventually, the goal will be to get him back out there with a cast on.

“I mean, it’s just an estimate, obviously but the procedure went well,” Freeze said. “He’s got a big cast on right now and next week, they will reevaluate and see. The hope is that he will be able to play in a cast after two weeks, hopefully. That’s the goal but it will be in a cast.”

Anthony is a fourth-year player who’s in his third season with the Tigers having been there for the duration so far under Freeze. He appeared in every game in his first season before a broken leg last year was a season-ending injury after just four games played. Add in his debut back on Friday and Anthony, in 18 games played in the secondary for Auburn, has posted 19 tackles and four deflections on their defense.

With two tackles and a deflection against the Bears, Anthony was one of the better-graded defensive players from the opener, according to Cole Pinkston of On3 | Rivals’ AuburnSports. As a whole, though, it wasn’t the best season debut for the unit as they did allow a total of 483 yards, with most of that coming through the air as QB Sawyer Robertson threw for 419 of those yards and three touchdowns. DC DJ Durkin said as much as well when it came to the play of his defense.

Auburn will be back on the field Saturday against Ball State before another nonconference game against South Alabama. Sept. 20 is the next date everyone on the Plains has circled on their calendars. Another road game will take place as the Tigers head to Norman to play Oklahoma.

Getting Anthony healthy before then will be key for Auburn. Going into SEC play without one of the team’s best defensive backs will be a major blow. Having him out there, even if a club is surrounding his hand, could wind up being a major boost for Freeze.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report