Josh Holsey out for the season with torn ACL

AUBURN –Josh Holsey is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed Holsey suffered the injury Saturday in the first quarter of Auburn’s 27-20 overtime victory over Jacksonville State. The 5-foot-11 cornerback was unable to put weight on either leg and had two Auburn trainers carry him to the sidelines.

“He re-tore his ACL on Saturday and is out for the year,” Malzahn said Tuesday. “That's a tough blow. He's an outstanding young man. Second time he's went through this. We're definitely feeling for him.”

Holsey suffered a torn ACL in the sixth game of the 2013 campaign that caused him to miss the rest of that season as well. The fifth-year senior defensive back missed the season opener against Louisville with an unknown injury suffered in the late part of preseason camp.

Malzahn said he has not spoken with Holsey about potentially filing for a sixth year of eligibility with the NCAA Eligibility Center and that decision won’t likely be made until the completion of the 2015 season.

“We're going to talk through all that,” Malzahn said. “It's tough on him. He's one of our team leaders, too. I know a lot of his teammates are hurting for him, not just on the field but the type of person he is.”

Holsey’s loss at both cornerback and the nickel positions will mean extended playing time for the three true freshman in the secondary (Carlton Davis, Jeremiah Denson and Tim Irvin) as they continue to be counted on in all three downs.

“I talked to him this morning. I told him I was praying for him and hoping for a speedy and good recovery,” Auburn defensive back Johnathan Ford said Tuesday. “That's a tough loss. He's very smart and intelligent guy. He brings a lot to our defense, a lot of motivation.”