Hugh Freeze shares injury update on RB Damari Alston

Ahead of an SEC West matchup with Mississippi State this weekend, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze shared a brief injury update on running back Damari Alston. And overall it’s looking to be good news.

Freeze isn’t for sure yet, but thinks Alston could be available to play on Saturday. A final decision is to be made later in the week, but right now the sophomore back is on the right track.

“I think — he’s been in non-contact Monday and Tuesday but I think they will let him go. I’m not 100% of that but I think it’s trending that way,” Freeze said on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

Alston hasn’t played since getting banged up against Texas A&M on Sept. 23, injuring his shoulder against the Aggies.

On the season, Alston has 26 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown, plus five catches for 37 yards. He’s averaged 5.4 yards per play from scrimmage in his touches this year.

Auburn will likely keep using two quarterbacks going forward

Auburn is still seeking its first SEC win of the season heading into Week 9. A change is needed, but it doesn’t seem that head coach Hugh Freeze is convinced that the change should be at quarterback.

Freeze has kept Payton Thorne under center throughout the four-game conference losing streak but has sprinkled in Robby Ashford several times a game. Hoping to be on the other side of this losing streak this time next week, the Tigers headman revealed the plan under center for Saturday’s matchup vs. Mississippi State.

“Whatever our offensive staff convinces me is the best chance to win us a game,” Freeze said during his Monday press conference. “I’ve said from day one that I think Robby [Ashford] has a place. Is his place on every down? We’ll see this week. If it’s a package that enables us to continue drives, we always have to look at those things right now with the current state of kind of who we are. I’m not content with anything right now, offensively.”

Neither quarterback has been spectacular this season by any stretch. Combined, the two don’t have 1,000 yards passing on the season but are two of the Tigers’ most prolific runners this season. Ashford’s five rushing touchdowns are tied for the team best with starting running back Jarquez Hunter. Thorne is the team’s second-leading rusher with 61 carries for 259 yards and two touchdowns.