Brian Kelly rules Armoni Goodwin out for Week 1, lists Josh Williams as probable

Brian Kelly has ruled LSU running back Armoni Goodwin out for Sunday’s game against Florida State. Fellow RB Josh Williams has been upgraded to probable.

Losing Goodwin and now potentially Williams for the season-opening game is concerning for the Tigers this late in game prep. Two of LSU’s top five rushers in 2022, the pair combined for 142 carries, 799 rushing yards and 11 scores. Williams — who is responsible for 532 yards of that — was the team’s most productive running back last season aside from star QB Jayden Daniels.

If Williams is also unable to suit up, Noah Cain — who Kelly named the starter last week — will lead the rushing attack. Last season, he led the RB room with 10 touchdowns from a season ago despite rushing for just 409 yards in 2022.

Aside from the running back room, Kelly also updated the status of offensive lineman Kimo Makaneole, who Kelly listed as questionable earlier this week. Makaneole is a former three-star offensive lineman out of the 2021 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. This proprietary algorithm compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was a top-25 interior offensive lineman in his class.

Now, he joins Williams on the probable list and likely won’t have either of their statuses updated before game day.

Star DL Maason Smith, who made headlines in the final weeks of the preseason, will be serving a one-game suspension for violating NCAA rules in 2021. Smith is accused of signing autographs — which is deemed an “improper benefit” by the NCAA — for profit before NIL laws took shape.

Smith will be able to return for the Week 2 matchup against Grambling State. He cooperated with the investigation, The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander reported, but will ultimately miss out on LSU’s first matchup of the 2023 season.

Smith only appeared in one game a year ago after tearing his ACL on opening night against FSU. He’s looking to be a key player for LSU on defense this year after totaling 19 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks as a freshman in 2021.

The rest of the roster seems to be healthy unless Kelly indicates otherwise before Saturday.

LSU kicks off their 2023 season on Sunday, Sept. 3 as they look to even the odds against Florida State after last year’s heartbreaking defeat. The Tigers are 2.5-point favorites heading into the matchup, per Vegas Insider.