Coach Alex Golesh Gives Update on Auburn’s Injured Linemen

When the Tigers rolled into the Baylor stadium for their season‑opening clash, nobody could have guessed how many trench warriors would go down before the final whistle. By the end of the second half, Auburn was suddenly shorthanded: two offensive guards and two defensive edge rushers had left the field with injuries.

Coach Alex Golesh, who was still fresh on the job, gathered his media crew on Monday and laid out the status of each player. He sounded cautiously optimistic, noting that three of the four men should be cleared to play against Southern Mississippi this weekend.

On the offensive side, right guard Cole Skinner – the former USF transfer – and left guard Jacob Strand both exited the Baylor game in the second half and didn’t return. Golesh said they have been working hard in rehab and expect to be back in uniform for the next outing.

The defensive line told a slightly different story. Edge rusher Chris Murray, who struggled to get to Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway, is now listed as fully healthy. In contrast, Da’Shawn Womack remains “day‑to‑day” after a lower‑body knock. Golesh hopes to see Womack back in practice soon, but warned that he may not be game‑ready for the Southern Miss contest.

Despite the setbacks, Auburn’s three‑man rotation at each guard spot helped smooth the blow. The Tigers still managed a 10‑play, 75‑yard touchdown drive that clinched a narrow win, proving the depth chart can hold up when called upon.

Defensively, the absence of both Murray and Womack was felt – the pass rush slowed, and Baylor’s offense found a bit more breathing room. Murray’s return should give the defense a much‑needed boost, while Womack’s timeline remains uncertain. The coaching staff believes they’ll have enough time to adjust before the bigger test against Florida in two weeks.

Injuries are an inevitable part of college football, but the early signs are encouraging for Auburn. If the offense can continue to run smoothly with its line shorthanded and the defense can compensate for missing pieces, the Tigers are shaping up for an intriguing season.