Key Auburn WR Eli Stove tears ACL in final practice before spring break
As the Auburn Tigers evolve offensively under QB Jarrett Stidham, they’ll now have to do so without one of their most versatile weapons.
That’s because WR Eli Stove tore his ACL this spring, according to a report from 247Sports. Stove had 29 catches for 265 yards and added 315 rushing yards and two scores as a sophomore in 2017.
Brandon Marcello of Auburn Undercover had the news on Tuesday afternoon:
Auburn receiver Eli Stove tore an ACL in Auburn's final practice before spring break. We have the news: https://t.co/hkMRGaLwmd
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) March 20, 2018
According to Marcello’s report, Stove tore his ACL prior to spring break, and has already had surgery on the damaged ligament:
Stove tore an anterior cruciate ligament before spring break and underwent surgery March 13, the source told Auburn Undercover.
Ryan Davis, the team’s leader in receptions last season, will be a senior this year, and big-play threat Darius Slayton will also be back, as will others. Therefore, the Tigers’ receiving corps should be fine, but Stove’s loss is still a big one.
UPDATE: Gus Malzahn has since confirmed the injury to Stove.