Just when Auburn thought things couldn’t get tougher, the Tigers have been dealt another gut punch. A handful of key players are now set to miss — or may miss — this week’s crucial matchup against Vanderbilt, and one name in particular has fans holding their breath.
The biggest blow? Starting safety . The heart and soul of Auburn’s secondary has officially been ruled out after leaving last week’s loss to Kentucky early. Anthony was spotted on crutches during Tuesday’s practice — a sight that immediately sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
Anthony’s absence will be felt in a major way. The veteran defensive leader has been one of Auburn’s most consistent playmakers all season, anchoring the back end with both his physicality and leadership. Without him, the Tigers’ defense will have to reshuffle against a Vanderbilt offense that has quietly shown the ability to hit on big plays downfield.
To make matters worse, freshman linebacker Elijah Melendez was also added to the injury report. The young defender, who has been steadily climbing the depth chart, did not practice Tuesday and is officially listed as questionable for Saturday’s contest. His potential absence would be another setback for a linebacker group already battling depth issues.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Auburn, who is desperate to get back on track after last weekend’s frustrating 10–3 loss to Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium. With the season hanging in the balance, every snap — and every healthy body — counts.
Auburn head coach (or interim, if applicable) emphasized that the team’s “next man up” mentality will be tested this week. Expect younger players and rotational pieces to be thrown into the fire against Vanderbilt as the Tigers try to patch together a defense capable of keeping the Commodores in check.
Fans will be watching closely to see who steps up in Anthony’s absence — and whether Melendez can get healthy enough to give it a go. One thing’s for sure: Auburn can’t afford any more bad breaks.