Thursday, July 9, 2009

Report: Hawthorne out 4-8 weeks

Projected starting receiver Tim Hawthorne suffered a broken foot and will be sidelined four-to-eight weeks, AuburnSports.com first reported on Thursday.

The web site quoted an unnamed family member as its source on the injury.
Assistant head coach Trooper Taylor, who also coaches the receivers, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Hawthorne is one of the few Tigers receivers with extensive experience. Another, Montez Billings, seems to have an uncertain future with the team as he tries to work through what coach Gene Chizik termed an “academic issue.” Billings did not practice with the team during the spring.

Auburn opens camp the first week of August, meaning Hawthorne would almost certainly miss at least the beginning of two-a-days. If the injury takes eight weeks to heal, Hawthorne could miss the opening game.

Hawthorne had eight catches last year for 203 yards. Taylor said the junior impressed him throughout the spring.

Hawthorne, along with Terrell Zachery and Darvin Adams, broke spring as projected starters.

If Hawthorne and Billings are unable to open camp, the freshmen receivers should provide ample opportunity to earn playing time. Both DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake are already on campus and were highly touted prospects.

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