Auburn redshirt sophomore running back JaTarvious "Boobie" Whitlow, who leads the Southeastern Conference in rushing touchdowns and ranks second in rushing, will be sidelined for at least a month after undergoing a knee procedure Tuesday.
Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said after Tuesday's practice that Whitlow suffered the injury late in Saturday's 24-13 loss at Florida. He set a preliminary timetable at 4-6 weeks.
"Obviously he's an impact player on offense," Malzahn said in a news conference, "but the good thing is that we do have a deep group at running back. All those guys got a chance to mix in with the ones and twos today, and it's good to have the off week to get the other guys ready."
Auburn won its first five games this season to climb to No. 7 nationally. The Tigers are now No. 12 following their loss in Gainesville and next play Oct. 19 at Arkansas.
The injury timetable for the 6-foot, 210-pounder would result in him missing the Oct. 26 trip to LSU and would leave him very questionable for the Nov. 16 home game against Georgia. The annual Iron Bowl against Alabama is set for Nov. 30 in Auburn.
Whitlow has rushed 110 times for 544 yards (4.95 per carry) and the seven scores. He was an SEC All-Freshman selection last year, when he amassed 787 yards and capped the season with three touchdowns - two rushing and one receiving - during the Music City Bowl mauling of Purdue.
Senior Kam Martin and sophomore Shaun Shivers will try to fill the void of Whitlow, with some assistance from redshirt junior Malik Miller, redshirt freshman Harold Joiner and freshman D.J. Williams.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.