The Auburn Tigers did not hold football practices last week due to numerous student-athletes being placed in quarantine due to COVID-19 infection and exposure. The Tigers set the preparation for the 2020 season back by canceling two practices and a scrimmage.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said the program cancelled the Saturday scrimmage due to players needing the day off after the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Malzahn met with the media on Sunday and revealed that nine players have tested positive for coronavirus and seven others have come into contact with the virus, putting them in the high risk category for contracting the virus.

He disclosed that two position groups were heavily affected by the quarantine, to a point that the staff did not feel comfortable holding full practice. Players who have tested positive for the coronavirus have to sit out 17-days per Auburn policy. Athletes are required to quarantine for 10-days and then go through a 7-day acclimation period.

This news comes on the heels of the LSU program revealing that only four offensive lineman were available to practice last week and Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley revealing that one of his position groups was heavily affected by quarantine procedures.

Auburn is scheduled to host Kentucky in the first game of the season on Sept. 26. The Tigers have 27 days to prepare for the season opener and Malzahn admitted to the media that he feels a sense of urgency after a missed week, however he also stated that the health and safety of the players is his first priority.

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