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Brian Kelly lays out plan to 'gradually' bring Zy Alexander back from injury

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•09/04/24•

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Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (17) catches a pass as LSU Tigers cornerback Zy Alexander (24) defends during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

LSU was without cornerback Zy Alexander in the season opener against USC. He has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year but is set to return to the field on Saturday against Nicholls. Head coach Brian Kelly confirmed as such on Wednesday.

Alexander will not be completely thrown into the fire, though. Kelly and the LSU staff have a plan in place to get Alexander back to full speed. Playing special teams is the first step before getting back to playing defense and hopefully contributing to the secondary.

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“I think he’s made really good progress,” Kelly said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I think what you’ll see is his workload, when it relates to plays, will increase dramatically over the next four weeks. It will start this week on special teams and then will continue to then pick up at the corner position.

“So, I think the plan has always been about gradually bringing him in and the reps will start with increased reps at special teams. Visibly, you’ll see that on Saturday against Nicholls with special teams play. And then a little bit more corner bit and that will gradually pick up over the next month.”

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The last time we saw Alexander on the field was Oct. 21 of last season when LSU was facing the Army Black Knights. Despite playing in just eight games, Alexander wound up being the team’s seventh-leading tackler with 44. He was one of the better ones in pass coverage too, having two interceptions and a team-high seven PBUs.

LSU sure could use some help in the secondary, a position group that has not been the best during Kelly’s tenure in Baton Rouge. Teams have routinely been able to carve the Tigers up through the air, even with Alexander has been out there. Even so, his return would be a huge boost to Blake Baker‘s unit.

But for now, No. 14 will only be out there playing special teams — although, exactly which unit was not mentioned. Kelly wants to make sure Alexander gets some work in before completely getting back to playing defense. The gradual process will begin against Nicholls for another Saturday night game in Death Valley.