Sammie Coates hurt, misses San Jose State game

AUBURN --Sammie Coates did not play in Saturday's game due to a left leg injury, injury.

Melvin Ray (two receptions for 30 yards) started in place of Coates, who was on the sideline in his jersey and warm-up pants and moved around with no apparent issues.

"We held him out. He's a little banged up but he'll be OK," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We expect him back."

Malzahn did not provide any detail of Coates' injury, but the ESPN telecast described it as to his left leg.

Coates, who was not available for interviews, led Auburn with 42 catches for 902 yards and seven touchdowns last season, had just one catch for 13 yards against Arkansas in the season opener.

With Coates out, Auburn's passing game had one of its less productive games in some time.

Nick Marshall was just 10-for-19 for 101 yards with one touchdown and D'haquille Williams led Auburn receivers with four receptions for 60 yards.

"We got other players to step in for Sammie," Marshall said. "Anybody who go down, when they come in we don't miss a beat."