Etheridge update

Zac Etheridge’s season is likely over a day after he suffered a neck injury from colliding with a teammate, Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Sunday.

Chizik said he is “very hopeful” for the junior safety’s full recovery from the neck injury Etheridge suffered Saturday.

Chizik didn’t shoot down talk that Etheridge’s football-playing career could also be over.

“I don’t know where that goes,” Chizik said. “We’re talking about full recovery as a person.”

Chizik said he did not feel comfortable going into further detail on Etheridge’s injury.

Etheridge suffered the injury when his head collided with DE Antonio Coleman’s shoulder.

Etheridge lay motionless on the field for several minutes before medical personnel immobilized him. He was carted off the field, but gave a thumbs-up sign to the crowd on his way to the locker room.

An injury update later in the game said he was being taken to a local hospital for examinations on his neck. The same report said Etheridge had movement in all his extremities.

A picture on Etheridge’s Facebook page showed him wearing a neck brace in a hospital bed with a couple that might be his parents. ...

More to come in tomorrow's Anniston Star.