Tate Johnson out at least 6 weeks, Auburn football moves on to 3rd-string center

AUBURN — Auburn football will be using its third-string center for most, or maybe all, of the rest of this season.

Tate Johnson will undergo surgery on his elbow Thursday and is out at least six to eight weeks, coach Bryan Harsin said Monday. Johnson injured his elbow in the first half of Auburn's 17-14 win against Missouri and did not return to the game.

"Could be season-ending," Harsin said.

He started Auburn's first four games after Nick Brahms, who had started 33 games in his career, announced his medical retirement from football six days before the season opener.

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In 97 pass blocking snaps, Johnson allowed eight quarterback pressures. According to Pro Football Focus, his season pass protection grade is 47.4. His run blocking grade is 57.9.

Auburn (3-1, 1-0 SEC) is expected to start third-string center Jalil Irvin on Saturday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) against LSU at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Harsin said he will use Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate his best options. Irvin was Brahms' backup last season, playing 98 snaps. The 313-pound senior has appeared in games dating back to 2018 in a reserve role.

After replacing Johnson, Irvin struggled against Missouri with a run blocking grade of 46.4.

"We'll move some guys around and take a look at it," Harsin said. "Avery Jernigan has also played center for us. So we've got to figure that out, the best five, what that's going to look like. And there might be some rotation in there."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Tate Johnson injury: Auburn football down to third-string center