COVID shreds Auburn, LSU position groups

The COVID-19 pandemic may have hit the University of Alabama’s school population hard, but it’s hit Auburn and LSU’s teams harder.

Auburn hasn’t been able to practice since Tuesday, because positive COVID-19 tests meant practice was cancelled on Thursday. Wednesday’s practice may have been due to the virus, but also due to social justice issues, but Auburn hasn’t been transparent about it.

And when they do step on the practice field in the burning, humid heat, the team will only have 16 players due to positive tests and worries about exposure to the virus.

“We are learning as we go here,” Malzahn said, according to 247Sports. “Every day and every week is a different challenge, and we talk about the teams that can be adaptable. It is a learning process, I think, for everyone and I think for us.”

As for LSU – according to The Advocate – Ed Orgeron’s offensive line has also been decimated, with ALL BUT FOUR (sorry for the caps, but you see what I’m getting at) players in that position tested positive for the virus or were deemed ‘high risk for exposure’.

SEC guidelines dictate that a player with symptoms have to see those symptoms lessen for at least 24 hours without medication before they can return for practice, and those deemed to have ‘high-risk exposure’ must quarantine for 14 days.

In LSU’s case, this could be particularly problematic going forward as they not only are replacing quarterback Joe Burrow, but also they have to replace starting LT Saahiq Charles and center Lloyd Cushenberry, as well as tons of other changes to the roster.