Ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 3 home matchup vs. UL Monroe, set to kick off in less than half an hour, two key players on offense and defense for the Maroon and White, including starting wide receiver Evan Stewart, safety Jardin Gilbert and rotational cornerback Tony Grimes, are currently on the sidelines with the rest of their teammates, albeit in street clothes.
Just a week away from the start of SEC play, Auburn will travel to College Station for an early Saturday afternoon kickoff, and not to throw out any assumptions regarding both players’ health, being cautious this week to be ready for the rest of the season wouldn’t be surprising given the bevy of injuries the Aggies sustained in 2022.
Evan Stewart in all maroon but not dressed out. pic.twitter.com/oRKW1qcODX
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 16, 2023
Tony Grimes is not dressed out. pic.twitter.com/HFWR8074Hv
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) September 16, 2023
On the bright side, sophomore running back Le’Veon Moss, who missed the Miami game last weekend, is dressed out, adding his powerful running style to an Aggies offense that missed his presence in the loss. Stewart, who recorded 11 receptions for 142 yards against the Hurricanes, leads the team in receiving with 257 yards and two touchdowns. Still, given the depth in the Aggies’ wide receiver rotation, his potential one-game absence shouldn’t be a major issue.
After transferring from North Carolina, Cornerback Tony Grimes has yet to carve out a role in the secondary. Gilbert, who has started at free safety since the 2022 season, did not have his best game last weekend but is still a proven secondary member. Hopefully, after resting this week, Grimes’ playing trajectory will change because Texas A&M’s defensive back group needs all the help they can get.
Update: Starting center Bryce Foster and cornerback Tyreek Chappell are also out.
Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 16, as the game will air on the SEC Network at 3:00 p.m. CT.
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