LSU’s Week 3 showdown at Ole Miss just got a lot more uncertain. According to the initial injury report posted Wednesday evening, quarterback Sam Leavitt is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s primetime matchup against the Rebels in Oxford.
He’s reportedly dealing with soreness in his throwing shoulder. Leavitt has already been battling a foot injury that cost him most of last season at Arizona State and forced him to miss spring practice after getting offseason surgery. He was cleared and fully healthy entering this season after having a procedure on his foot to remove pins and screws back in April, so any new setback would be a complete twist just as LSU heads into its first true SEC test of the year.
If Leavitt can’t go, redshirt sophomore Landen Clark is in line to make his first career start under center for Kiffin’s offense. LSU goes into week 3 sitting at 2-0 and ranked 7th in the nation, riding an offense that’s averaging nearly 600 yards per game. Leavitt has had a shaky start statistically with 574 yards, two touchdowns through the air, and four interceptions through two games. He’s already drawn criticism this week from ESPN’s Rece Davis over turnover issues. Now that conversation shifts entirely to his health.
Full injury report:
Ole Miss, also 2-0, has its own injury concerns, with CB Victor Lincoln Jr. and OL Emanuel Faulkner out, plus RB Makhi Frazier and OL Tommy Kinsler IV questionable to play.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC. Expect LSU to update Leavitt’s status as the week progresses. A final call won’t likely come until closer to game time.
— Eric Palmer, TigerSources