Florida State defensive lineman Fabien Lovett out for Week 3 game vs Louisville

Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett did not dress for pregame warmups against the Louisville Cardinals on Friday night and will not play, according to Warchant.com. Lovett is a key returning starter and a redshirt junior for the Seminoles.

He appeared to suffer an injury with less than a minute remaining in the LSU game two weeks ago, while attempting to make a tackle.

Without Lovett, the ‘Noles will turn to a group of second-string defensive linemen, including Jarrett Jackson, Malcolm Ray, Joshua Farmer, and Dennis Briggs. Jackson is a former Louisville transfer and tips the scales at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. Ray brings pass rushing and speed to the ‘Noles defensive unit and started two games last year.

Dennis Briggs can line up at defensive tackle and defensive end for the Seminoles. He was a former four-star prospect in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus Rankings.

Last season for FSU, Lovett started nine games at defensive tackle and finished with 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. In 2020, he appeared in eight games, starting two of those, tallying 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. The 318-pound defensive tackle racked up a career-high five tackles against the N.C. State Wolfpack.

Before joining Florida State, Lovett made 13 starts in 15 games for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and racked up 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

Through the first two games, he has tallied two tackles. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2018 cycle, Lovett was rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 39 defensive lineman in the nation.

Before tonight’s game, Florida State was listed as a 2.5-point favorite against the Cardinals. The Seminoles are looking to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2015.