AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn receiver Eli Stove will miss workouts for the foreseeable future as he recovers from knee surgery, a person familiar with the injury tells Auburn Undercover.

Stove tore an anterior cruciate ligament before spring break and underwent surgery March 13, the source told Auburn Undercover.

The junior is expected to be one of Auburn's top receivers in 2018, but the injury and subsequent rehabilitation time could derail those plans. An Auburn spokesperson did not immediately comment on the injury when reached by Auburn Undercover.

Stove was in the midst of a strong spring before apparently suffering the injury during Auburn's first contact practice March 8, the source said.

He caught 29 passes for 265 yards in 2017, serving primarily as a quick option on screens. He was also utilized on jet sweeps, carrying the ball 30 times for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded 10 explosive plays of 20 yards or longer for the Tigers last season.

The junior out of Niceville, Florida said he was improving upon his time on the field from a year ago, when he struggled at times in offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's system.

“I’d say mental and physically tough, because I know I had a hard time last spring, so I feel like I need to get better with that," he said March 6. "I’ve been doing pretty good. Still need to work on routes, of course, and catching."

Auburn returns to the practice fields Tuesday afternoon. Practice is closed to the media and no media availability is scheduled.

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