Flau'jae Johnson injury update: ESPN broadcast reveals new info on star guard's ailment

LSU has one win under its belt in the SEC Tournament and is now searching for another one on Saturday against Texas. They are doing so without Flau’jae Johnson though, who is dealing with shin splints. Johnson did not play against Florida and is once again on the sidelines during the Texas game.

ESPN’s Holly Rowe did provide the latest on Johnson during the first half, saying the LSU star was wearing a walking boot at one point. Johnson has also changed up her leadership style now helping off the court. An injured player can easily disconnect at times but Johnson appears locked in.

“Flau’Jae is out with shin splints,” Rowe said. “I did see her walk into the building tonight with a boot on her right leg. I’ve seen her getting some ultra red therapy in the sauna, trying to get rehab and get that inflammation down. But she has been very active on the bench right now, talking to her teammates in the huddle. You see how great she’s been as a scorer but I see her trying to say very engaged and uplifting with her teammates right now.”

Johnson last appeared in the penultimate game of the regular season. LSU went to Tuscaloosa and found themselves on the losing end against Alabama. A few days later against Ole Miss, Johnson did not see the court and has been out ever since.

Through 30 games, the averages for Johnson are eye-popping. She is going for 18.9 points per night while adding 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 rebounds. No stat may be as valuable as the experience Johnson has in an LSU jersey, winning a national championship as a true freshman and making the Elite Eight last year.

Flu’jae Johnson labeled player-coach by teammates

Even though she wasn’t on the court, Johnson was coaching up her teammates Friday night against Florida. It’s not much different from when she’s on the court, though, according to Mikaylah Williams. She called Johnson a “players’ coach” when talking about her demeanor on the bench.

“I think her just being a players’ coach,” Williams said on the SEC Network postgame show. “Our players listen to her. She’s showing what she sees on the court, like what we wouldn’t see on the court when we’re playing.

“And being positive, knowing that it’s hard being a ballplayer and wanting to play. Sitting down is hard. I was here last year at this time and it as hard. Just keeping everybody up spirits and keeping everybody great. She’s been a great leader so far.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report