Two Auburn offensive players injured, will miss remainder of spring camp
AUBURN — Hugh Freeze announced on Monday that offensive lineman Tate Johnson and wide receiver Malcolm Johnson Jr. are injured and will miss the remainder of spring camp.
Tate Johnson has a dislocated elbow. Johnson suffered the same injury last season, but it’s unclear if it’s the same arm as previously injured. Johnson started at center for Auburn during the first three football games of last season before being injured on the opening series of the Missouri game. He missed the remainder of the season. At the start of spring, Johnson moved from center to offensive guard, where he’s performed well.
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The other Johnson, the senior wide receiver, has a collarbone injury that will keep him out the remainder of spring. Johnson has been seen with a sling on his arm at practice going back to last week. Johnson has 110 career receiving yards and one touchdown as his senior campaign began.
The Tigers will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the most part leading into the April 8 spring game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s the schedule of practices: February 27, March 1, 3, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, April 3, 5, 7 and 8. Auburn took the week of March 5-11 off for spring break.
Quick commentary on the two injuries
The injury to Tate Johnson is significant. Not necessarily in severity, but because Johnson was making strides at guard during spring and was battling for a spot along that starting front. The good news is, Freeze loves what Johnson is bringing to the table from a leadership standpoint, so he’s positioned himself well. We’ll monitor Johnson’s injury, but missing repetitions isn’t ideal for a player who missed practice time and games last fall, and will now miss more time. It obviously means more repetitions for the likes of Kameron Stutts, Jeremiah Wright and others.
As for the other Johnson, it’s hard to say the impact. Malcolm Johnson Jr. hasn’t produced much on the field, but with a new offense and new coaches, it’s always an opportunity. Considering Freeze said the receiver position has a “long ways to go,” Johnson Jr. could certainly be in position to help, if he’s healthy. His injury will be another setback for a senior trying to put together a productive season.
