LSU football: Injury report ahead of Week 5 game at Auburn

LSU football has no more opportunities to sit key players. The chances for certain players to rest and recharge have come and gone at this point. The Tigers were without a handful of important individuals against New Mexico—similar to the game versus Southern—and they were able to handle business comfortably, 38-0. However, those players are expected to be back in the fold this weekend as Brian Kelly’s team travels to Auburn.

The Bayou Bengals will need to be at full strength to overcome the supposed voodoo at Jordan-Hare Stadium at the moment. Even though the hosts have been bad this season, nothing can be left to chance in the Tiger Bowl. It’s going to be all hands on deck for LSU barring any last-minute injuries, aside from a couple of missing faces.

Here is the Tigers’ injury report ahead of their Week 5 match-up with Auburn.

LSU football: Injury report ahead of Week 5 game at Auburn

The individual everyone is concerned about is Jayden Daniels. LSU’s QB1 left the game versus the Lobos with a back injury after scrambling for a first down. Daniels indicated last Saturday night that he could have come back, but the coaching staff rightfully felt no need to put the Arizona State transfer in harm’s way. He was a full participant at practice this week; he’s ready to go.

There are a few question marks on the offensive side of the ball though.

The first is concerning Armoni Goodwin. The sophomore had emerged in recent weeks as the Tigers’ No.1 running back before coming off injured against the Lobos. The last time Kelly spoke about his breakout star, he dubbed him “day-to-day.” In Goodwin’s absence, expect the three-headed monster of Noah Cain, John Emery Jr. and Josh Williams to carry the load.

Kayshon Boutte will play, as well, after he missed last week due to the birth of his child.

Left guard Garrett Dellinger is also expected to miss the game as he recovers from surgery to fix his broken hand. Kelly is hoping he can return against Tennessee. It’s unclear right now how the LSU offensive line will set up for the fifth game of the season. Miles Frazier seems like the guy who will slide over to left guard, Anthony Bradford and Xavier Hill could then vie for the right guard void left by Frazier.

As for the defense, BJ Ojulari and Jay Ward will suit back up against the navy and orange Tigers. They were kept out for precautionary reasons against New Mexico. LSU had its best defensive showing of the season in that game, so suffice it to say, the hosts were just fine last weekend. Safety Major Burns will be out three-to-six weeks with a neck injury, so expect to see Arkansas transfer Joe Foucha inserted into the starting line-up in his debut with the Tigers.

These are all of the injury updates Kelly provided the media with leading up to the highly anticipated clash on the Plains. It’s nice to see that aside from a couple of injuries, the Tigers will be back at full strength as they kick off their road campaign in the SEC.