With the 2015 season firmly in the rearview mirror, most of the attention, after the excess that is National Signing Day, will be focused on spring ball. Whether a player expected to be a key part of Auburn’s defense in 2016 will be available for the 15 practice sessions is still to be determined.
A team spokesperson confirmed to the Opelika-Auburn News that Tray Matthews recently underwent a surgical procedure to repair damage in his right shoulder. The defensive back was seen wearing a sling during a Tigers basketball game this past weekend, triggering speculation regarding his health.
According to the spokesperson, the football program is “hopeful” Matthews will be available for the spring, although that likely won’t be determined for another couple of weeks or so.
Matthews played in 10 games in 2015, starting seven games at safety as a redshirt sophomore. It was his first action since transferring from Georgia to The Plains and sitting out the 2014 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
Three of the games that Matthews missed three games last season, including back-to-back SEC games against Texas A&M and Georgia the first two weeks of November. Those absences were attributed to shoulder and ankle issues.
The Tigers are expected to start spring practice the first of next month.