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Auburn DB T.J. Davis goes down with torn ACL

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 08: Speedy Noil #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies breaks a tackle by T.J. Davis #28 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 08: Speedy Noil #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies breaks a tackle by T.J. Davis #28 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

A potential starter in Auburn’s secondary is expected to miss an extended period of time.

Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed Tuesday that junior cornerback T.J. Davis tore his ACL last week and had surgery recently to repair the torn ligament. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Davis had been competing in spring practice to start opposite Jonathan Jones for the Tigers.

Davis played in 13 games for the Tigers last season, mainly on special teams, but was able to crack the rotation at corner during SEC play. Malzahn called Davis’ injury “a tough blow.”

“He injured his knee last week, before we left (for spring break),” Malzahn said, per Al.com. “That’s a tough blow, but we’re hoping to get him back during the season.”

Jones has been limited this spring due to a foot issue, so Davis had been seeing plenty of time at corner before his injury.

“It’s very unfortunate,” Malzahn said. “He was making some progress at defensive back, and you know, he’s one of our better special teams players, too, but he’ll do everything he can to get back.”

Malzahn said that Davis is "determined" to make a return at some point during the 2015 season.

Tuesday was the Tigers’ first practice back since returning from Spring Break. The team had Wednesday off before returning to the field for its seventh practice of the spring on Thursday.

The Tigers’ A-Day spring game is scheduled for April 18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!