Auburn football finally caught a break — and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After a chaotic week that saw the program part ways with head coach Hugh Freeze and hand the reins to interim leader DJ Durkin, the Tigers got some much-needed good news on the injury front.
The SEC’s official availability report revealed that standout defensive player has been upgraded from questionable to probable, signaling that he’s trending in the right direction for Saturday’s matchup against No. 16 Vanderbilt.
Top star has been one of the few bright spots for Auburn’s defense this season, and his presence could be crucial for a team trying to steady itself amid major changes. The sophomore linebacker came up big in last week’s loss to Kentucky, snagging a key interception that briefly swung momentum back to the Tigers before things unraveled late.
While Durkin — who’s now leading the team following Freeze’s firing — declined to go into detail about Melendez’s ailment, the linebacker’s limited activity earlier this week had raised doubts about his availability. He did not participate in Tuesday’s practice, but his upgraded status suggests he’s making significant progress.
Melendez’s return would be a major lift for a defense that’s quietly been Auburn’s strongest unit this year. Under Durkin’s guidance, the group has consistently shown toughness, even when the offense struggled to sustain drives. With Melendez back in the fold, Auburn’s front seven could have the firepower needed to slow down Vanderbilt’s balanced attack.
And the good news didn’t stop there. Kickoff specialist Connor Gibbs was also upgraded from questionable to probable, according to Thursday’s report. Gibbs, who has been a steady presence on special teams, was initially listed as questionable on Wednesday but appears on track to suit up this weekend.
For an Auburn team desperately looking to rebound and finish strong after a turbulent few weeks, every healthy body counts — especially playmakers like Melendez and Gibbs.
The Tigers, now led by Durkin, will look to channel that energy and turn their season around when they hit the road to face Vanderbilt on Saturday. A win wouldn’t just get Auburn one step closer to bowl eligibility — it could also mark the start of a new, revitalized era on the Plains.