Auburn was dealt some unfortunate news after its 38-24 win over Baylor when it was declared that safety Champ Anthony suffered a broken thumb in the Tigers’ season opener.
“Unfortunately, Champ suffered a broken thumb that will require surgery, so he will miss some time,” head coach Hugh Freeze said on Monday.
Thinking he would be out for the foreseeable future, Anthony underwent a successful procedure earlier in the week. The Tigers are hopeful for a quick return from their starting safety.
“The procedure went well,” Freeze told reporters during the SEC Media Teleconference on Wednesday. “He’s got a big cast on right now. Next week, they’ll re-evaluate and see. The hope is that he will be able to play in a cast after two weeks. That’s the goal, but it will be in a cast.”
Anthony, who also suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury last season against Arkansas, started alongside Kaleb Harris against the Bears. He recorded two tackles and broke up a fourth-down pass intended for tight end Michael Trigg in the end zone.
Freeze and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will use Anthony’s absence to get some action for younger guys, such as AnQuon Fegans and Eric Winters.
Winters — whom Freeze on Wednesday said fits the mold of what Auburn wants at safety in such a grueling league — played 16 snaps against Baylor and earned the highest PFF grade among safeties with more than one snap.
“Eric played a lot of snaps, but it’s a reasonable assumption to say if Champ is down, that his snaps go up even more,” said Freeze.
Backup safety Jahquez Robinson is expected take starting snaps in the meantime.
Auburn kicks off against Ball State at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with ESPNU carrying the broadcast.
