Jayden Daniels exits game with knee injury, Garrett Nussmeier takes over

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels left the game and entered the injury tent in the fourth quarter against Auburn on Saturday. Backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier entered as his replacement.

The injury is said to be to Daniels’ right knee, according to the ESPN broadcast.

“Jayden Daniels endured knee-to-knee contact and so it’s locked up,” sideline reporter Katie George said. “That right knee has locked up on him. The staff tried massaging it to increase blood flow and get him to loosen up, but he’s been visibly frustrated over hear on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly told his wide receivers, ‘You have to help him out there.’ Him being Garrett Nussmeier. ‘This is on you guys to get us through. Make some plays and help our young quarterback.'”

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The play in which Daniels was injured appeared to come on the go-ahead touchdown drive in the third quarter. Daniels briefly entered the injury tent after that series and spent some time on the exercise bike, but ultimately took the field with the offense for the beginning of the next drive.

However, he was ultimately unable to continue as it appeared the injury was nagging him too much.

Prior to his exit, Daniels was 8-of-20 passing for 80 yards in addition to 59 yards rushing and one touchdown. So far this season, he has thrown for 835 yards, rushed for 262 and scored eight total touchdowns. Nussmeier finished 2-for-6 for five yards during his brief time in the game.

LSU ultimately held on for the 21-17 victory, improving to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in SEC play. But the injury to Jayden Daniels puts a damper on the excitement. The Tigers will hope for positive news on his status over the next week ahead of a matchup against No. 8 Tennessee at 11 a.m. CT next Saturday in Baton Rouge.