Champ Anthony suffers broken thumb, will miss time

Jordan Hare Stadium will see this year’s Auburn team for the first time Saturday, when the Tigers host Ball State to open their home slate.

Auburn will be without one of its key players and leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

Anthony to miss time

Junior safety Champ Anthony suffered a broken thumb against Baylor and will require surgery, head coach Hugh Freeze announced Monday. He’s expected to miss time and will be out until he recovers from surgery.

Anthony suffered a season-ending injury last year against Arkansas. Saturday’s game against Baylor was his first action since.

Running back questionable

Following his performance against Baylor, running back Damari Alston is questionable heading into the Ball State game. Alston is questionable with a shoulder injury that Auburn will keep an eye on this week.

“Damari got a little banged up shoulder in the (Baylor) game,” Freeze said. “So we’ll see how he is this week. If you run the ball that number of times, they’re going to take some beatings.”

Amaris Williams healthy

Freeze expects defensive end Amaris Williams to be ready to go for Ball State.

Williams, who had one tackle and half a sack against Baylor, briefly exited the game with an injury before returning to the field several plays later.

“Amaris bounced back and got back in, so I think he’s fine,” Freeze said.