While Auburn took a bad loss on the field Saturday, it’s already struggling offensive line potentially suffered another setback.
Hugh Freeze said Monday that starting right tackle Izavion Miller is questionable after sustaining a hip injury against Cal, but also said that it will probably be difficult for him to play against New Mexico.
“He tried to come back in. That’s one of the hits Payton (Thorne) took right as he was throwing. He just couldn’t move,” Freeze said.
Akron transfer Ronan Chambers filled in against Cal after Miller left the game, but Freeze said a larger shift could take place on the offensive line this week.
With Tyler Johnson and Percy Lewis rotating at left tackle, Freeze said one of them could switch sides to take Miller’s place. He also mentioned starting left guard Dillon Wade will likely move to tackle but isn’t sure which tackle spot yet.
Chambers could still help at that position, but Freeze wasn’t entirely impressed with his performance against Cal.
“Chambers played okay at times,” Freeze said Monday. “In the run game he played fine. In the pass game he struggled a little bit.”
Lewis and Johnson’s battle for the starting spot at left tackle continues, but Saturday’s game might have created some separation. Johnson was the starter in Auburn’s first two games, but Freeze’s assessment of the Cal game favored Lewis.
“I thought Percy played his best game, that was good to see. Tyler looked like a freshman at some points,” Freeze said.
With Miller potentially out, Freeze said Wade, Johnson and Lewis will all play a role at tackle with one on the right, one on the left and one as the “swing guy.”
Bradyn Joiner and Tate Johnson are the two most likely options for Auburn at guard with Wade potentially moving over to play one of the tackle spots.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
