AUBURN NOTEBOOK: Tuberville: Ramsey still a member of team

As of Wednesday evening, Chaz Ramsey was still an Auburn football player.

Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville wasn’t willing to go much further than that, amidst rumors that the sophomore offensive lineman was weighing a transfer.

“I’ve heard rumors, too,” Tuberville said. “I checked — he’s still in school and we hope he stays.”

The Madison, Miss., native has been rumored to be considering a transfer to Mississippi State, but Tuberville said he hasn’t discussed those plans with Ramsey.

“It’s just one of those things where I don’t know what to tell you about it,” Tuberville said.

Ramsey, who started 10 games last season at right guard, hasn’t practiced with the team since early in spring drills. He has been sidelined with a back injury.

The injury is expected to force Ramsey to redshirt, though Tuberville hasn’t announced a decision. Ramsey hasn’t practiced with the team, though he has attended a few workouts as an observer.

Wednesday, Tuberville said Ramsey usually undergoes physical therapy while the team practices.

Ramsey isn’t the only injured Tiger whose status has been in question over the past few days. Junior defensive end Raven Gray hasn’t attended the past few practices, according to several teammates.

But Tuberville said Gray — an Enterprise native and a five-star prospect this season as a junior-college transfer — is in good standing with the team. His practice absences, like Ramsey’s, are due to injury.

Gray is redshirting this season as he recovers from offseason knee surgery. According to Tuberville, Gray is working with trainer Arnold Gamber while the rest of the team practices.

“He’s not out there,” Tuberville said. “He’s totally rehabbing. He won’t be out there all fall.

“He just can’t go. I told Arnold to get him ready to go for spring.”

Gray practiced with the team throughout the preseason, but isn’t believed to have practiced since the decision to redshirt him was made.

Injury report
Quarterback Kodi Burns (leg laceration) showed continued signs of improvement in Wednesday’s practice, according to Tuberville. The head coach originally pronounced Burns “questionable” for Saturday’s game against Southern Miss.

Now, Burns looks likely to play after practicing on consecutive days. But Tuberville warned the sophomore isn’t 100 percent healthy.

“He’s still not running the ball, but he’s really doing good throwing, releasing the ball well and really not showing any signs of his leg bothering him,” Tuberville said.

“He’s got a chance. He’s got to be better tomorrow.”

Wideouts James Swinton (knee) and Montez Billings (hamstring) both practiced Wednesday and are expected to play this weekend.

So is linebacker Merrill Johnson, who had missed the previous two practices with what Tuberville called a “tight” hamstring.

Tickets still available
Some tickets for Saturday’s game are still available, for $45 each. To purchase those tickets, visit http://www.auburntigers.com or call the university’s ticket office at 1-800-AUB-1957.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 11:30 a.m. and will be televised by Raycom Sports (Channel 3 in Lee County).

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