Reports: Auburn C Connor Lew (ACL) out for season

Field Level Media|published: 10/20/2025, 11:37am EDT

Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Connor Lew answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Auburn starting center Connor Lew will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, according to multiple reports Monday.

Lew, who has started 24 games for the Tigers (3-4, 0-4 SEC), is widely considered one of the top projected draft-eligible centers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The junior suffered a torn ACL when he got rolled up on by a teammate in Auburn's 23-17 loss to Missouri (6-1, 2-1) in double overtime Saturday.

Lew was replaced by true freshman Kail Ellis, who played in his third game of the season and will likely be Auburn's starting center for the remainder of the season.

"We got banged up tonight, for sure. And obviously, when you lose a guy like Connor (who) battles for you against a really talented defense, it's a challenge," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze told reporters after the game.

"I really don't know how Kail performed. Obviously, I think he's going to be a really good football player. But, you know, you know, that was a huge loss to lose the leader of your O-line. He makes all protection calls and all the calls up there, run game, pass game. So that was a tough loss, for sure."

Auburn plays at Arkansas (2-5, 0-3) on Saturday.

--Field Level Media