Ed Orgeron updates the status of LSU defensive backs

An injury-plagued LSU defense may get some depth back for this weekend’s game against ULM. 

Freshman Sage Ryan, who has been out with an injury since the Ole Miss game on Oct. 23, returned to practice on Tuesday and could see the field on Saturday.

“I think he may play,” LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said on Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “We’ll need to see how he does during the week, but right now all indications are that he will play.”

Ryan has five tackles and two pass break ups in his first year in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana native was the third-best safety in his class, and the second-best prospect in the state, per On3.

Additionally, Orgeron said sophomore safety Jordan Toles took some personal time away from the team, but he is now back with the Tigers. He could play this weekend.

Toles was also a top-five safety in his class in 2020. He is from Maryland, so he received plenty of attention from the top Big Ten schools before making Baton Rouge his home.

The 6-foot-2, 203-pound safety had four tackles in eight games his freshman year, and he has 12 stops in five games this season. He has not recorded a tackle since the Kentucky game on Oct. 9.

Also of note, per Leah Vann, defensive lineman Maison Smith also returned to practice on Tuesday. Like Ryan, he has been out since Ole Miss. Defensive back Major Burns did not practice, and cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks remain out.

LSU’s defense has looked good against its last two opponents, allowing just 20 points to Alabama and 16 points to Arkansas. Their final two opponents, ULM and Texas A&M, do not present a huge offensive challenge, but the Tigers defense would like to finish the season strong. They need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible and finish 6-6.

LSU hosts the 4-6 Warhawks, who started 4-3 before losing their last three games, at Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. The game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN, and LSU is a 29-point favorite.