Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze is taking precautions to prevent player injuries as they prepare for the 2024 season.
Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze is being careful to avoid player injuries ahead of the 2024 season
The Auburn football program is about to enter their second full week of fall camp, and head coach Hugh Freeze reports that things are progressing steadily. While he’s generally pleased with what he’s seen, there has been some chippiness in practice that has made him uneasy, even though it’s been within the plays rather than in extracurricular situations.
“It’s been a bit too chippy and unprotective the last few days,” Freeze told reporters Friday morning before the Tigers headed to the practice field, according to Auburn Undercover. “I’m not sure how to balance it. You could limit contact, but I don’t think you can succeed in this league without some physical practices in camp. It honestly scares me because we need to stay healthy.”
Freeze noted that Texas Longhorns’ starting running back CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending knee injury during fall camp, which heightened his concern for protecting Auburn’s running backs. As a result, the Tigers’ RBs might wear no-contact jerseys during live practices.
Freeze also mentioned that players like quarterback Payton Thorne and linebacker Jalen McLeod would likely wear no-contact jerseys or have limited live reps. For the remainder of fall camp, the focus will be on balancing productive practices with maintaining player safety and health.
The Tigers will practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday before hosting Fan Day at the Athletics Complex in the afternoon.
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