Update on LSU corner Derek Stingley's status vs. MSU

The LSU Tigers will be without a key defensive contributor on Saturday against Mississippi State. Star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will not play for LSU with a foot injury, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Stingley’s absence could turn into an extended one.

Stingley injured his foot at LSU’s Wednesday practice. He made the trip to Starkville, but he will not play against the Bulldogs.

LSU had a tough time defensively without Stingley vs. MSU last year

Mississippi State defeated LSU last season, scoring 44 points and throwing for 623 yards. Stingley did not play in that game, either. He started all 15 games as a freshman in 2019 during LSU’s undefeated, national championship winning season. Stingley earned consensus All-American honors after leading the SEC with six interceptions and 21 pass deflections.

Last season, Stingley started seven games for LSU and earned first team All-America honors. Teams did not try to throw at Stingley very often last year, but he came up with 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and five pass deflections.

Stingley is known as one of college football’s best defensive backs. He should become an early pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft if he decides to declare. Through three games this season, Stingley has eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

LSU honored Stingley with the No. 7 jersey prior to the season, a tradition started by NFL cornerback Patrick Peterson. The jersey number has been worn by Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Leonard Fournette, DJ Chark, and Grant Delpit over the years.

Other injury notes for LSU

Defensive end Andre Anthony will miss the remainder of the season for LSU. Anthony recently suffered an injury that Ed Orgeron confirmed would be season-ending. He is a sixth-year senior who was a key part of LSU’s defensive front.

Defensive end Ali Gaye and safety Jay Ward are expecting to play on Saturday against Mississippi State. Gaye, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior, was a second-team All-SEC selection last season. He had four tackles in Week 1 against UCLA, but did not play in the previous two weeks.

Ward also was able to play against UCLA before missing the next two games.