Scottie Phillips remains day-to-day with an ankle injury after leaving Saturday’s game against Texas A&M early in the first quarter. He logged just four yards on three attempts before exiting for the remainder of the game.
On Tuesday, Scottie Phillips did not participate in practice. Following practice, Ole Miss running backs coach Derrick Nix offered an update on Phillips’ status.
“(He’s) just day-to-day right now,” Nix said. “He had a sprained ankle on Saturday. Rehabbing right now, icing it and trying to get treatment on it, so he’s day to day. He hasn’t been ruled in or out.”
In the event that Phillips can’t go against Vanderbilt, Isaiah Woullard and Eric Swinney will be expected to fill his role. Woullard, who has shown flashes of ability in his limited playing time, will likely be the main guy in the backfield for the Rebels.
Running back Scottie Phillips looks for an opening around Auburn defensive backs Daniel Thomas and Jordyn Peters earlier this season. Auburn won the game 31-16. File photo by Christian Johnson
“You miss Scottie’s feet some, but very impressed. Isaiah (Woullard) broke some tackles. He did put one ball on the ground, he’s got to be better with ball security, but proud of the way he stepped up,” head coach Matt Luke said.
On the other hand, Swinney hasn’t seen as much action in 2018 as Woullard has. He missed the first three games of the season with mononucleosis and has registered just 11 carries in the seven games he’s appeared in.
“Eric (Swinney) got six or seven plays and did well when he was in there,” Luke said. “(He and Woullard) did well.”
Although he didn’t practice on Tuesday, there is still a real possibility that Phillips can suit up on Saturday if his ankle heals in time.
“I think with his toughness if he gets himself to about 85-90 percent, I think he’ll will his way onto the field,” Nix said. “We don’t wanna do anything that’s gonna cause a further injury, but I think he’ll do everything he can to get himself back out and help our team.”
Regardless, If Phillips can’t go against Vanderbilt it will certainly be a blow for the Rebels’ offense. However, Nix doesn’t expect Phillips’ possible absence to have any major effect on the offense as a whole.
“It doesn’t change (our offense) at all,” Nix said. “We feel confident with what Isaiah (Woullard) can bring to the table. I think he did a great job on Saturday against A&M. (It’s) the most reps he’s had all year in one game and I thought he handled it well.”
Woullard, a Hattiesburg native, was a three-star prospect with only three offers coming out of high school. He carries himself with a humble attitude, which may originate from being overlooked during his recruitment.
“Isaiah Woullard is an awesome kid,” Nix said. “You’re talking about a guy you wanna go to battle with. (Woullard) works hard in the weight room, works hard in the classroom, a guy that’s on time, where he’s supposed to be. He’s doing extra — he’s just a great teammate. You kind of forget he’s just a freshman.”
Woullard has been preparing as if he will be the starter all season, which is a testament to his work ethic and “chip on the shoulder” mentality that he brought with him to Oxford.
“I’ve worked hard and I’ve prepared,” Woullard said. “I think the time is now.”
