Auburn working through injuries at the wide receiver position this spring
AUBURN — Hugh Freeze said on Tuesday that Auburn has been working through quite a number of injuries at the wide receiver position.
“We’ve been beat up considerably at the receiver position. That’s caused us some slow down in some of the things we’re trying to do, but other than that, we’re pretty healthy,” Freeze said.
Jay Fair, Caleb Burton, Camden Brown and Koy Moore have all missed considerable time over the last two weeks. Cal transfer Sam Jackson has also been limited after shoulder surgery during the offseason.
“All the returning guys that have played some snaps have been out. I think we’ll get Jay back this week, and Caleb, but I don’t know about Camden and Koy,” Freeze said.
Brown has battled various injuries during his time at Auburn, so has Moore.
The missed time has certainly allowed for newcomers Cam Coleman, Bryce Cain, Robert Lewis and others to get additional repetitions in.
“I’m excited about Robert and Sam. Sam is another one, he’s been in a yellow jersey all spring. I’m excited when I do see him, he and Robert. They are going to add quality depth to us,” Freeze said. “Bryce is going to be a talented, talented kid. I’ve yet to see where he’ll fit in year one, it’s a process. Very few people are ready-made and play in this league. That doesn’t mean they aren’t really, really good.”
Coleman is a different story. It’s no secret: he’s going to play early and often.
“Cam on the other hand, is a different cat,” Freeze said. “He’s going to have to play and he’s proven he can when he knows what to do. He’s very, very good. We have to do a great job of bringing him along and making sure he understands — he’s so coachable, that’s going to be easy. He continues to make plays, he’s got to go as a freshman. I’ll be excited to get Perry (Thompson) and Malcolm (Simmons) in there to give us additional depth in that room.”
Freeze said they are “thin” at receiver right now and they’ll have to re-evaluate before Saturday to decide what the spring game looks like at the position.
“It’ll help a lot if Jay and Caleb can be back, for sure, so we aren’t having to wear those guys out. I sure wouldn’t mind throwing it around some, if we can protect. That’s been the biggest challenge against what we’ve been seeing defensively. Those guys are getting after us pretty good.”
