Mathews returns from injury

[aubiefifty 16,778]

Auburn's leading tackler returns from injury

Wesley Sinor | wsinor@al.com

Tray Matthews is back practicing with Auburn.

After missing the team's first scrimmage of spring last weekend with a hamstring injury, the starting safety returned for Saturday's scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said Matthews "stood out" during the scrimmage, which was closed to the media.

"He looked really good," said fellow safety Nick Ruffin when asked about Matthews. "It was good to have him back out there, good to have that local leader back out there for us. He brings a lot of energy for us, so to have him back out there flying around, it helps us."

Matthews led Auburn in tackling last season with 76 total stops (43 solo) to go along with three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one interception and one forced fumble.

Auburn has been thin at safety this spring as Matthews, Ruffin and Stephen Roberts have gotten the most amount of reps at the position. Markell Boston was dismissed for an undisclosed reason before spring practices started while Daniel Thomas has been working mostly at Nickel and Marlon Character has moved to cornerback.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said Michael Sherwood has been serving as the fourth safety, though other players have the ability to play the position.