After a disastrous start to the season, Auburn took another hit Saturday as coach Gene Chizik announced after the team's loss to Vanderbilt that tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen was done for the season.
A staple the past four seasons for his sure hands and one of the few threats on a lackluster offense, Lutzenkirchen is believed to have sustained a hip injury that will sideline him the rest of the year. He traveled to Nashville with the team but did not play on Saturday before Chizik made the announcement.
Lutzenkirchen wraps up the year with 15 catches for 139 yards and will leave as the school's all-time leader in touchdown catches by a tight end. A key part of the Tigers' national championship run two years ago, the senior had a knack for big catches and recorded three game-winning touchdowns during his career.
"God has a plan for me and will guide me through this storm. War Eagle," Lutzenkirchen tweeted Saturday.
Sophomores Brandon Fulse and C.J. Uzomah figure to get a bulk of the time at the position going forward. Lutzenkirchen is ranked by CBSSports.com draft experts as the No. 9 player at his position and a projected 5th or 6th round draft pick.
Chizik also announced that right tackle Avery Young was done for the season, as well.
