Bryan Harsin: TJ Finley is 'getting better,' still considered day-to-day with shoulder injury

Auburn quarterback TJ Finley has missed the past three games due to a shoulder injury, and many are wondering when he could be healthy enough to return to action. On Wednesday, Tigers coach Bryan Harsin provided a brief update on the situation, though it didn’t exactly offer much clarity on the quarterback’s status for this weekend.

“He’s getting better,” Harsin said according to AL.com’s Tom Green. “He’s still day-to-day, but he’s improved.”

Robby Ashford has assumed the starting role in Finley’s absence, throwing for 629 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the past three contests. He rushed for a combined 117 yards and a touchdown in those games as the Tigers have gone 1-2.

It has been a tumultuous season at Auburn, which sits at 3-3 and 1-2 in the SEC at the halfway point. It is widely believed that Harsin could be out as coach before it’s over, with Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reporting earlier this year the move could happen as soon as next week’s bye.

Quarterback play has been one of the major issues, as Auburn ranks 11th in the SEC in passing offense (218.8 air yards per game) and last in points per game (20.3). Even before the injury to TJ Finley, the Tigers rotated Ashford in throughout the first three games.

All that said, Finley’s status will certainly be something to keep an eye on as Auburn prepares to face No. 9 Ole Miss at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Oxford.

Auburn quarterback Zach Calzada to miss remainder of season with shoulder injury

TJ Finley is not the only Auburn quarterback out with injury, however.

Auburn quarterback Zach Calzada will miss the remainder of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury head coach Bryan Harsin confirmed last week. Calzada has not played a game this season for the Tigers, transferring in from Texas A&M.

Harsin took two quarterbacks this offseason from the transfer portal, with Oregon’s Robby Ashford joining Calzada. Both competed for the starting role, with TJ Finley initially winning out. Calzada finished third, in part to his shoulder injury.

Calzada was the starter for most of the 2021 season in College Station. Haynes King went down with an injury in Week 2 and Calzada took over from that point forward. The now Auburn quarterback is best known for getting a program-defining upset over Alabama last October.

AuburnLive’s Justin Hokanson was first to report on Calzada’s shoulder surgery and added the quarterback will seek a medical redshirt. If granted, he will have three years of eligibility remaining at Auburn and possibly a new coaching staff.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.