Tigers avoid injury bug's bite

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Tigers avoid injury bug's bite during scrimmage

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Huntsville Times

Tigers avoid injury bug's bite during scrimmage

AUBURN - Coach Tommy Tuberville said Auburn's football team suffered no major injuries in Friday's 104-play scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

But there were some minor ones.

Freshman defensive end Zach Clayton left the scrimmage with a sore knee that wasn't considered serious. Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite suffered a hand injury but returned to the scrimmage. Running back Tre Smith suffered a jammed neck that Tuberville said did not appear serious.

Senior cornerback David Irons (hamstring), wide receiver Courtney Taylor (knee), offensive lineman Leon Hart (abdominal strain) and offensive guard Tyronne Green (flu) did not take part in the scrimmage.

Handing out praise: Tuberville singled out sophomore walk-on wide receiver Roderiqus Smith, sophomore linebacker Merrill Johnson, sophomore tailback Brad Lester and freshman safety Zach Etheridge for their performances during the scrimmage.

He said tailback Kenny Irons "got his reps early" and spent most of the scrimmage on the sideline.

Playing touch: Redshirt freshman Jerraud Powers of Decatur and sophomore safety Lorenzo Ferguson participated in the scrimmage though they weren't allowed to have full contact. Both wore orange jerseys.

"They played two-hand touch," Tuberville said. "They did everything but tackle."

Irons on list: Kenny irons was named Friday as one of 35 "players to watch" for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in November. Head coaches at the 119 Division I-A schools vote on the award each season.