Ed Orgeron provides key injury updates ahead of game against Alabama

Ahead of Saturday’s game against No. 2 Alabama, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron commented on several players the Tigers would love to have available for the trip to Tuscaloosa on the weekly SEC coaches teleconference.

There is some good news for LSU fans two-thirds of the way through what has been a dismal season: running back Armoni Goodwin and offensive guard Chasen Hines were back and practicing at what Orgeron called a “very spirited” day.

Hines was injured during pregame warmups on Oct. 16 when LSU hosted Florida. Another big body up front on the offensive line, Hines is 6-foot-3 and 349 pounds. The senior has been a staple on the LSU offensive line for the duration of his LSU career, and he became a full-time starter as a junior last season.

Goodwin has not carried the ball since the Kentucky game on Oct. 9 after suffering an ankle sprain. On the season, he has 11 rushes for 56 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. Goodwin had a shoulder injury earlier this season and missed the Tigers’ opener against UCLA.

Orgeron is excited about what Goodwin and fellow running back Tre Bradford add to what can only be described as an inconsistent offense.

“Yesterday we ran some specific plays with both of those guys, they look very good,” Orgeron said, per Leah Vann. “They’ve got some fresh legs. We’re going to run some specific plays with them that’s going to help.”

LSU’s run game has improved significantly in recent weeks. Tyrion Davis-Price ran for a record-setting 287 yards against Florida on Oct. 16. Last week against Ole Miss, Davis-Price and Corey Kiner rushed for over 100 yards together when sack yardage is excluded. They are slowly moving up the SEC-run game ranks.

On the disappointing side of the injury news, corner Cordale Flott is unlikely to take the field against Alabama. 

“Very questionable,” Orgeron said regarding Flott’s status. “I doubt if he’s going to play.”

The defensive back, who has 60 tackles this season, did not practice on Tuesday.

Flott had moved over from the nickel position earlier this season to fill in for cornerback Eli Ricks, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-October.

The visiting team has won four of the last five meetings between the two SEC West foes, but that outcome is unlikely Saturday. LSU is a 28.5-point underdog at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.