Wide receiver Eli Stove is expected to return this Fall, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday afternoon. Stove tore his ACL in the last practice before spring break.
“We expect him to return next season, and possibly earlier,” Malzahn said. “He’s in good shape, we expect him to recover well.”
In addition, wide receiver Ryan Davis did not practice because of flu-like symptoms. Malzahn added that Davis should be able to return for the team’s Saturday scrimmage.
Davis and Stove’s absences promoted Will Hastings, who fully participated in practice, to first-team offense.
Hastings will be without quarterback Jarrett Stidham until at least Tuesday, Malzahn said. Stidham will practice for seven-on-seven drills before participating in scrimmages.
“We’ll see where he’s at [Tuesday],” Malzahn said. “I know he’s ready to get back out there.”
The head coach had praise for Joey Gatewood, who ran the second-string offense.
“I would say he’s handled it pretty well, especially for just coming out of high school," Malzahn said. "He’s been a pretty quick learner.”
Saturday’s scrimmage, which Malzahn described as “run-heavy oriented,” will feature wide receiver Noah Igbinoghene with the first-string cornerbacks and Jordyn Peters in a knee brace
Peters, despite a knee injury, fully participated in practice.
Malzahn said the scrimmage will give the coaching staff a good idea on how the running back situation shapes up.
“I wouldn’t say anybody is ahead of anybody right now,” he said. “We’ll have enough touches to get enough information.”
With a focus on rushing the ball, the now sixth-year coach said that the team will run 100 to 120 plays on both offense and defense.
Though the roster has fluctuated with injury, Malzahn’s newest update came off the field. With his daughter, Kylie, giving birth over break, the head coach became a first-time grandfather.
He said he is ready for his grandson to get on the field.
“I’m hoping he’s a linebacker,” he said.
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