LSU football: Injury report ahead of Week 3 game vs. Mississippi State

LSU football is currently riding the high of a 65-17 win over Southern at the weekend. The Tigers dominated from the opening kickoff, which provided the team with some much-needed energy following a crushing defeat in Week 1. It also gave Brian Kelly’s men a bit of confidence as they prepare for conference play with a bit of swagger in their walk.

The Bayou Bengals will need all of the help they can get as they now await the arrival of their first SEC opponent. Mississippi State will stroll into Tiger Stadium with a lot of self-belief, as well. The Bulldogs have won their opening two games and they’re knocking on the door of the AP Top 25 ahead of a visit to Death Valley. It’s all hands on deck for LSU, who needs to defeat Mike Leach’s team and get off to a hot start in SEC play. Here is the Tigers’ full injury report.

LSU football’s full injury report ahead of the Week 3 game vs. Mississippi State

Kelly and his staff have done a superb job thus far of keeping LSU players fit early in the season (yes, I knocked on wood). Although players like Malik Nabers picked up small injuries during Fall Camp, the Tigers have mostly avoided serious injuries throughout the year’s preparations.

Defensive tackle Maason Smith will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, but he’s the only major injury that the purple and gold have sustained through the first two games. It helps that LSU’s starters have only had to play five quarters—give or take—of football too. The Tigers’ first string players were pulled from last weekend’s game over Southern after about 16 minutes. The hosts led 44-0 at that point, so there was no reason to risk injury.

This approach is one Kelly took into the game, as well. Defensive superstar BJ Ojulari was kept out of the game against the Jaguars for precautionary reasons after he pulled up against Florida State with a slight injury. He could’ve played last weekend, but LSU didn’t want to take any risks with his long-term health.

Ojulari will suit back up this weekend alongside Ali Gaye, who has already served his one-half suspension for targeting versus the Seminoles. Speaking of suspensions, expect to see the familiar No. 4—John Emery Jr.—back in action for the Tigers. The experienced running back was serving the final two games of an academic suspension picked up last season.

Kelly has noted that Emery Jr. will have a relatively limited role as he eases back into game. In this case, expect Armoni Goodwin to get a majority of the carries against the Bulldogs.

Lastly, shifting gears back to the defensive side of the ball, expect to see Sevyn Banks make his LSU debut. The Ohio State cornerback transfer was almost fully healthy in time for the Florida State game, but the coaching staff has kept him sidelined as a precaution. His return will be a welcomed boost for a Tigers secondary that will be facing its toughest test yet.

The return of the aforementioned individuals is huge for LSU. The loss of Smith hurts long-term, but Mekhi Wingo filled in brilliantly in his absence. Hopefully these returnees will give the Bayou Bengals enough to power past Mississippi State on Saturday.