After Auburn’s 45-19 win over New Mexico on Saturday night, head coach Hugh Freeze provided some concerning updates on several key players who were either injured prior to the game or suffered setbacks during the matchup.
The most unexpected absence was starting cornerback Kayin Lee, who was sidelined due to a calf strain.
“He’s been battling it all week, and we really need to get some of these guys healthy—like him, Cam [Coleman], and [Izavion Miller],” Freeze explained after the game.
Both Coleman and Miller were also unable to play on Saturday after sustaining injuries during the previous week’s game against Cal. Coleman is nursing a shoulder sprain, while Miller is dealing with a strained hip flexor, according to Freeze.
With Lee out, Champ Anthony shifted from his usual nickelback position to take on the role of outside cornerback, while Keionte Scott held down the opposite side of the field. Antonio Kite also stepped up, playing a significant number of snaps at outside corner in Lee’s absence.
However, the most significant injury occurred during the game, when veteran tight end Brandon Frazier was forced to exit in the first half. Frazier returned to the sidelines wearing street clothes and a boot on his right foot, raising immediate concerns.
Freeze later confirmed the worst fears, saying, “We think he broke his foot.”
With Frazier sidelined, Rivaldo Fairweather and Luke Deal continued to serve as the team’s primary tight ends, while Micah Riley and Rico Walker saw increased playing time later in the game.
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