Auburn football appears to be on the right track to adding depth to its offensive line.
Sophomore Tai Buster was expected to be a key piece of Auburn's offensive line rotation this season, but a preseason setback has kept him away from the field. This week, Auburn head coach Alex Golesh gave a positive report for Buster's availability, saying he could be available to play as early as a few weeks.
“Tai (Buster) has worked his tail off. I give Tai a lot of credit. He is working through return to play," Golesh said Monday. "The hope is that here in a couple of weeks, we get him fully integrated in practice, and it gives us a chance to see where he is."
For injured players, it can take days or weeks to catch up and return to their routine, but Golesh
says that will not be the case for Buster. Buster has remained immersed in practice and should return to full speed quickly.
"He’s been engaged; I give him a lot of credit again, he’s been engaged," Golesh said. "He’s itching to get back out there. I thought when he got banged up, he was competing at a high level. We’re excited to get him back here soon.”
The offensive line has been a weak spot for the Auburn Tigers this season, mostly due to a lack of depth. Three of Auburn's typical starters have logged over 400 snaps this season. Two others have played at least 300 snaps. Jacob Strand and Kenneth McManus have logged adequate snaps at multiple positions across the line this season.
Adding Buster to the rotation will not solve every issue the offensive line faces, but having an extra body will help keep linemen, especially at guard, fresh during Auburn's final stretch of regular-season games. The Tigers will be without Buster for their next game, Saturday at Ole Miss, but he could return in November to assist Auburn with their pursuit of bowl eligibility.
Taylor Jones is the lead writer for Auburn Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky. FollowAuburn Wire on X andFacebook.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn head coach Alex Golesh gives key injury update on Tai Buster
