AUBURN AUTHORITY

D'haquille Williams 'week-to-week' with knee injury

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn wide receiver D'haquille Williams suffered an injury to his right knee during Saturday's loss to Texas A&M.

AUBURN – D'haquille Williams' status will be evaluated "week-to-week" after Auburn's top wide receiver suffered a right knee injury against Texas A&M.

"I think it's going to be a week-to-week type deal," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said on the Tiger Talk radio program on Monday. "We'll just see how quick he heals. Obviously he's a big part of our offense so hopefully we'll get him back."

Williams, who leads Auburn with 38 receptions for 609 yards and five touchdowns, went down following an incomplete pass with 13:29 to go in the second quarter of last Saturday's game. He was helped off the field and went to the locker room on crutches before halftime and returned to the sideline in the second half, but did not play.

"You lose one of your top players and when he went down you could really (tell) a little air was out of our offense probably for a series, they were a little bit in shock," Malzahn said. "We had to mix and match and move some people around and I feel like they responded well."

On Sunday, Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said he was "unsure" of when Williams would return and "hopeful for the best."

A source with knowledge of the situation indicated Williams would return to play this season, though when is unclear. According to a report by AL.com, Williams suffered a sprained MCL and would miss this week's game at rival Georgia.

Williams, who has not been available for interviews, posted a message to Instagram on Sunday thanking fans for their support.

"I just wanna thank everybody for their support and prayers," Williams wrote. "I'll be OK its (six) just what the lord has planned all I had to do is follow…War Damn Eagle."'

Melvin Ray was one of those who filled in for Williams, making an 18-yard catch, his first in seven games, in Saturday's loss.

"Melvin's had a very solid year and he did a very good job filling in for Duke in some areas," Malzahn said. "He's a very good blocker. He made a very good catch - he got hit pretty good - protected the football and bounced back up."