Brian Kelly shares early diagnosis of Chris Hilton ankle injury

LSU is not too far from heading out West to open the season, facing USC in Las Vegas. The Tigers are going through fall camp and as with any team, a few injury bumps have occurred. Wide receiver Chris Hilton is the latest, not participating in the latest practice.

Brian Kelly gave his early diagnosis of Hilton’s injury, saying it’s an ankle issue. Thankfully, Kelly does not believe there will be any long-term problems. Sitting Hilton out was a suggestion of the training staff to be overly cautious.

“I think he will be alright,” Kelly said on Saturday. “It was an ankle. (LSU trainer) Owen (Stanley) talked to me after, he said ‘I think it’d be best if we kept him out.’ Didn’t seem to be high ankle or something that would be affecting him for long term. Much more about a precautionary ankle right now.”

Unfortunately, injuries are nothing new for Hilton. He has been hampered by a few since arriving in Baton Rouge, playing in just 19 games entering his fourth season of college football. When getting action, Hilton has been productive, catching 22 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns.

Staying healthy will surely be the receiver’s top priority but he is slated to step into a larger role for LSU in 2024. Replacing players now in the NFL is one of the biggest offensive question marks the Tigers have entering the season.

Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is certainly high on what Hilton can bring to the table, calling him an “elite” player.

“Chris Hilton and everything that he’s dealt with in his past from an injury standpoint and the really complete receiver that he’s become,” Sloan said in early August. “I think you guys saw in the spring, right? A bunch of stuff that he’s able to do, can’t be more excited about him and what he brings to the table. He’s special man he’s elite.”

Hilton will be catching passes from Garrett Nussmeier this fall, another fresh face in a starting position. The expectation for LSU is to maintain its elite offensive status, even with a significant amount of departures. Making sure somebody like Hilton is healthy and contributes would go a long way in accomplishing those goals.

An ankle injury is a little bothersome at the moment but Kelly is not concerned just around two weeks ahead of LSU’s season opener vs. the Trojans of USC.