LSU’s injury luck may be turning at the right time
LSU’s injury luck may be turning at the right time. Edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and tight end Trey’Dez Green are both absent from the Tigers’ first availability report of the week for Saturday’s trip to Auburn.
Green’s absence is the bigger surprise
Green’s absence from the list is the bigger surprise. He hurt his knee in the Week 3 loss at Ole Miss, and the original hope was a return around the Alabama game in Week 10. He has missed every game since, but Lane Kiffin said last month that Green was out of his brace and moving his knee. Wednesday’s report removed him entirely, which suggests he could be back earlier than expected.
Before the injury, Green had 14 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown, and he was a preseason first-team All-SEC pick. He’ll be another big target and a red zone threat for Sam Leavitt that the offense has lacked.
Umanmielen’s case is different
Umanmielen’s case is different. He left the Mississippi State game in the first quarter with a head injury, and Kiffin gave no update on his status on Monday, so his availability was in real doubt. Reports this week expected him to appear on the report, with concussion protocol being a possibility.
He enters the weekend with eight sacks, second in the nation. Missing him would have hurt, and LSU already has Whit Weeks, Dashawn Spears, Phillip Wright III and Charles Ross II listed as out.
What to watch before kickoff
LSU also comes off a 31-0 win over Mississippi State. Having both players available helps a lot more now. Kickoff from Jordan-Hare Stadium is at 11 a.m. CT.
Wednesday’s report isn’t final. The SEC will release updated reports later in the week, and a player can reappear on the list. Watch for Thursday, Friday and pregame updates.
— Eric Palmer, TigerSources