LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. unlikely to play against Auburn

Derek Stingley, one of the top NFL draft prospects in the 2022 class, is unlikely to play on Saturday against Auburn. Head coach Ed Orgeron said the star cornerback is still dealing with a foot injury.

“I don’t see how he plays,” Orgeron told reporters on Derek Stingley’s status against Auburn, via WAFB reporters Jacques Doucet.

Over two and a half seasons at LSU, Stingley has been named a two-time first-team All-American, two-time first-time All-SEC and was the 2019 SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was also named a preseason All-American for the 2021 season.

The former five-star prospect blossomed into the best cornerbacks in college football, continuing to build on his breakout freshman season in 2019. After finishing his freshman season with 38 tackles, 21 pass deflections and six interceptions on the way to a national championship, teams stopped throwing at him.

In 2020, Stingley played just seven games after missing the season opener due to illness and sitting the final two games with an injury. He finished the season with 27 tackles, five pass deflections and a forced fumble. Despite not registering an interception, Stingley proved a bright spot in an otherwise down year for LSU.

Prior to this season, Stingley was honored with the No. 7 jersey, a tradition started by Patrick Peterson. Over the years, the No. 7 at LSU has been worn by Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Leonard Fournette, DJ Chark and Grant Delpit.

The LSU program promised to rebound to its 2019 form. An early loss to UCLA derailed what many hoped the season could become. The Tigers have already lost starting quarterback Max Johnson and other key players since the start of the season.

So far, Stingley has eight tackles and one forced fumble. The foot injury suffered in practice sidelined him against Mississippi State.

Previous comments from Ed Orgeron

Head coach Ed Orgeron announced Wednesday during the SEC teleconference that Derek Stingley would undergo further testing before making a return to the field.

“I think he’s in the process of seeing a doctor this week, maybe today,” said Orgeron. “He flew out of town to see a doctor, so we haven’t had any results. We haven’t heard anything, but he’s in the process of seeing a doctor today.”

The Tigers will likely look to sophomore Dwight McGlothern to fill the gap left by Stingley. In the absence of a two-time All-American, fellow sophomore Eli Ricks will be asked to step up as the No. 1 option on the outside.