What is LSU football’s plan at safety with Major Burns out?

LSU football has started the season off right. The Tigers have rebounded from a disappointing Week 1 loss to Florida State with three straight victories. Brian Kelly’s team has far exceeded expectations placed on them thus far, although the toughest stretch has not yet arrived. Regardless, LSU is looking like a very good football team through four weeks.

One wouldn’t know from looking at the Bayou Bengals that they’ve had issues with depth this season. Injuries on the offensive line have seen the Tigers rotate that unit in every game except for one and Matt House was forced to improvise at safety last week versus New Mexico. Kelly and his staff are having to reach into their bag of tricks as they plug and play in positions of need.

Even though left guard Garrett Dellinger’s hand injury isn’t ideal, LSU has a couple of different guys who can slot into the hole left by the lineman’s absence. However, the safeties aren’t afforded that luxury as they’re one of the thinnest positions on the depth chart. Healthy bodies are only becoming harder to come by as the season progresses after injuries to Major Burns and Jay Ward.

What is LSU football’s plan at safety with Major Burns out?

Ward is in line to play against Auburn at the weekend. However, Burns is set to miss three to six weeks as he continues to recover from a neck injury. This begs the question, what will the Tigers do at safety while Burns remains sidelined?

Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse stepped up big time for his team last week against the Lobos. LSU was without both Burns and Ward, so the Oklahoma State transfer slid over from cornerback to handle business in the non-conference game. Bernard-Converse played quite well and even went on to win a game ball from Kelly after the 38-0 win.

All of that being said, he’s needed more at cornerback going forward. The Bayou Bengals will need someone with prior experience at safety against some of the nation’s best passing attacks in Southeastern Conference games. Luckily, they have just the guy waiting in the wings.

Joe Foucha is expected to make his debut in the purple and gold on the Plains this weekend. The former Arkansas safety served a four-game suspension at the beginning of the year pertaining to his transfer credits. However, he’s now eligible and it seems he’ll slide right into House’s starting defense alongside Ward.

Foucha may take a bit of time to get back up to game speed, but he’s been on the scout team for the last few weeks. The New Orleans native gives LSU the best chance to win going forward. As a former Razorbacks DB, he’s got the necessary experience and talent to play in the SEC. He’ll have a favorable first opponent in Auburn. The Tigers have struggled on offense this year, which is music to the ears of a defense as lethal as the Bayou Bengals’.

Burns’ positive contributions will be missed over the next couple of weeks. Nevertheless, Foucha’s return will ensure Kelly and Co. have nothing to panic about going forward.