Auburn’s talented offensive line took a major hit on Friday.

Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn announced that sophomore offensive lineman Alex Kozan, who started every game last season, will miss the entire 2014 because of a back injury. According to AL.com, Kozan injured his back lifting weights over the summer. Kozan had surgery to repair the injury but getting back on the field this season was impossible.

“He came back, we tried to rehab it, do some different things and he tweaked it,” Malzahn said. “The doctors just felt like it was the best thing for him and his future to have surgery. He will miss the season.”

Kozan was slated to start at left guard this season and was one of four returning starters on the offensive line.