Auburn’s linebacker room took a hit during the bye week, as interim head coach DJ Durkin announced on Wednesday during the SEC Media Teleconference that Demarcus Riddick underwent a season-ending shoulder surgery.
AuburnUndercover’s Nathan King first reported the injury on Tuesday.
When asked on Wednesday, Durkin said, “We made a decision in the bye week. He had surgery, and that was a season-ending surgery for DeMarcus. So I just think it was the best thing for him to get that done and keep moving forward.”
Durkin noted that Riddick struggled to play throughout the season with the injury.
“With the injury he had this year, it’s just it’s been hard on him. We’ve tried to limit what we’re asking him to do and where we can put him to allow him to have some success. But it’s just hard to be able to do that right. Playing the linebacker position, at some point, you’re going to be exposed if you’re not able to really strike with your shoulders.”
Riddick, a heralded recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, recorded 13 tackles and one sack on the season, while playing in eight games. He recorded at least one tackle in every game except the Tigers’ 45-38 overtime loss to Vanderbilt.
When asked about a timetable for his return, Durkin said they are going to try to get him back before summer training starts.
“Based on the things he has ahead of him, that’s a very reasonable thing. I think even just saving these three or four weeks was big. We want to give as much offseason time as he can possibly have to get his body right and be healthy where he can be on the field, and get the reps he needs.”
Auburn will take on Mercer on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT on SECN+.