Duke Williams Reinstated by Auburn: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Auburn Tigers fan can all take a deep breath because head coach Gus Malzahn reinstated superstar wide receiver Duke Williams to the football program “following a six-day absence because of an undisclosed ‘discipline issue,’” according to James Crepea of AL.com.

Williams first missed practice on Aug. 7.

Charles Goldberg of AuburnTigers.com provided some context and quotes regarding the situation:

Coach Gus Malzahn said Williams "took care of his business off the field, what I had him doing. He is in the process of every day earning his teammates’ and his coaches’ respect.

"He’s going to have the same standards as everybody else, and he' going to earn everything he gets, just like every other player would."

Malzahn said Williams is at the bottom of the depth chart and "will have to earn his way back."

"He's going to have to play catch-up, and he understands that."

[...]

"He's taken care of what he needed to take care of, but it's a daily deal, just like everybody else on our team. They're going to have to come out there and practice with a great attitude, great effort and earn their playing time on the field."

Williams was Auburn’s leading receiver last year with 45 catches for 730 yards and five touchdowns and earned a first-team All-SEC selection entering the 2015 campaign. His role figures to be even more important this season since wide receiver Sammie Coates is lacing it up for the Pittsburgh Steelers after running routes alongside Williams in 2014.     

The Tigers checked in at No. 7 in the initial Amway Coaches Poll and are serious national title contenders in a loaded SEC West. However, it is difficult to envision them living up to expectations without Williams on the field as arguably their best playmaker.

It is interesting to note that Malzahn said Williams must earn his way back to the top of the depth chart, but it is just as important to point out the first game of the season is against a dangerous Louisville squad that was 24th in the country in scoring defense in 2014.

It is probably a safe bet that Williams will work his way back up that depth chart quickly with such an important game on the horizon, assuming he stays out of trouble off the field. The Tigers need his ability to stretch the field with his speed and high-point passes in the corner of the end zone as a red-zone threat.

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