Auburn Football Faces Alarming Jackson Arnold Injury News During Spring Practice
Auburn football fans were dealt an unexpected scare during Thursday’s spring practice session when rising star quarterback Jackson Arnold suffered a potentially concerning injury. In what initially appeared to be a routine play, Arnold went down awkwardly while scrambling out of a collapsing pocket during live reps. Though he managed to walk off the field under his own power—a positive sign—he did not return for the rest of practice, prompting immediate concern about the severity of the situation.
According to Adam Cole of the Montgomery Advertiser, Arnold appeared to tweak his right hamstring. While Auburn’s coaching staff has yet to offer a detailed update—hardly surprising given how notoriously secretive college programs can be when it comes to injuries—the optics alone were enough to make Tiger Nation hold its breath.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Arnold recently made headlines for his commitment to the team, opting out of the prestigious Manning Passing Academy to focus on spring training and bonding with his teammates. That move was seen as a major statement of leadership and intent, further solidifying his role as the face of Auburn’s offense moving into the 2025 season.
Should Arnold be forced to miss any significant time, the pressure will mount on true freshman Deuce Knight, who—based on reports from the same practice—had a rocky outing. Cole described Knight’s performance as “less than stellar,” noting at least three interceptions thrown, two of which came off tipped passes. Defensive standouts like AnQuon Fegans, Terrance Love, and Donovan Starr capitalized on those mistakes, highlighting Knight’s need for development before he’s ready to lead the offense.
With Auburn’s quarterback room already thin in terms of experience and consistency, Arnold’s availability is absolutely critical—not just for the success of the season, but for head coach Hugh Freeze’s trajectory with the program. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Auburn fans are hoping this year brings a winning record and signs of long-term progress.
While it’s still early April and Arnold’s injury doesn’t appear to be season-threatening, any absence—even short-term—could hinder his growth in a new offensive system. For a team desperately looking to turn the corner, the margin for error is razor-thin, and losing their QB1 for any stretch of time would be a major setback.