Jelani Watkins injury update: Brian Kelly reveals LSU WR has foot, ankle sprain

LSU‘s starters have been able to remain fairly healthy so far throughout fall camp on both sides of the ball. But on Tuesday, freshman wide receiver Jelani Watkins sustained a foot injury that ruled him out for the remainder of practice and placed him in crutches and a walking boot for the Tigers’ practice on Wednesday.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly addressed Watkins’ injury during his press conference following Wednesday’s practice.

“Jelani, he’s got a foot sprain and an ankle sprain. We did an MRI, so there’s no Lisfranc,” Kelly said. “So this will be one where — soft tissue injury. Owen and his team will get him back pretty quickly.”

Watkins injury not being a severe one is a great sign for the true freshman, who has been getting reps with the third and fourth team wide receivers during fall camp in Baton Rouge. Watkins has showed the potential to see the field as a kickoff and punt returner for the Tigers during fall camp.

The former four-star wide receiver was born in LaPlace, Louisiana but played high school football at Atascocita in Houston, Texas. Watkins was ranked the No. 217 overall player in the country and the No. 36 ranked wide receiver for the 2024 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Last month at SEC Media Days, Kelly mentioned Watkins as one of three freshman that could see contributing to the Tigers team this upcoming season. Highlighting his elite speed and readiness to play right away.

“We have some freshmen that I think are poised and ready to play,” Kelly said. “We’ve got a defensive tackle in Dom McKinley. We’ve got a defensive end in Gabe Reliford. We’ve got a wide receiver in Jelani Watkins, who is maybe one of the fastest players in the country, that I think are poised, based on our summer workouts, that I think can contribute right away. And that’s just to say a few guys.”

Along with being a standout football athlete in high school, Watkins also excelled in track and field. A two-time Texas UIL 6A 200-meter state champion who also ran the anchor leg of the Klein High School state champion 4×100 relay team before transferring to Atascocita ahead of his senior year.

Hopefully Watkins can return to full health sooner than later, potentially contributing to LSU’s return game and adding some speed to a wide receiver room looking to replace to 1,000-yard receivers who’ve moved onto the NFL.