The LSU defense desperately needs star linebacker Whit Weeks to return to the field. Weeks is the unquestioned leader of the Tiger defense, and not having him in the mix lowers LSU's defensive play as a whole. The star linebacker is battling an ankle injury, and after missing the Vanderbilt game last week, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz is reporting that Weeks is officially out for Saturday night's contest against Texas A&M.
LSU star linebacker Whit Weeks (ankle) will miss tomorrow’s game against No. 3 Texas A&M, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 24, 2025
On a positive note, it’s considered likely that Weeks will be back for the Tigers’ next game, which is against No. 4 Alabama, per sources. pic.twitter.com/FbHyZF6qOs
It's another tough blow for the Tigers, who are desperate to get back on track with a big win against the 3rd-ranked Aggies. Texas A&M is scoring 36.1 points per game this season, and QB Marcel Reed presents a ton of problems for Blake Baker's defense.
LSU to be without Whit Weeks against Texas A&M on Saturday
Weeks finished second in the SEC with 125 tackles last season. He'd racked up 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack this season before going down with an ankle injury against Ole Miss. He was limited against South Carolina, and was ultimately sidelined for the entirety of the Vanderbilt game last week.
The Tigers missed Weeks desperately, as LSU had no answer for Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense. The Commodores didn't punt until halfway through the 4th quarter, and Pavia ran wild for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Weeks is an excellent playmaker in the middle of the field, and not having his elite tackling skills on display against the Commodores was a huge loss for LSU.
LSU has struggled against mobile QBs this season, as Pavia and Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss torched the Tigers on the ground. Reed is capable of doing the same, as he has 241 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground so far this season. Aggie RB Le'Veon Moss is out, so Reed could take off more than his average of 7.3 rushing attempts per game.
Nobody was able to step up in Weeks' absence against Vanderbilt, which has to change against the Aggies. Even at home, professional oddsmakers don't have much faith in the Tigers to get the job done, as Texas A&M is favored by 2.5 points on the road. The Tigers need a win in the worst possible way, and not having Weeks out there makes the job at hand even tougher.