Injured LSU: Coach O's Response and What It Means For UK's Offense

Kentucky Football will be without two of its star veterans when LSU comes to town this coming weekend. Wide receiver Josh Ali is expected to be absent from the offense against the Tigers, while Marquan “Bully” McCall has a long road to recovery from an injury suffered last weekend against Florida.

A major blow to both sides of the ball, it’s not as bad as the injury situation down in Baton Rouge where multiple key players are banged up.

The most significant, earlier today Ed Orgeron announced star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is out indefinitely after undergoing a foot procedure. The projected first-round pick will not make the trip to Lexington for Saturday’s game.

Soon after news of Stingley Jr.’s status went public, Ed Orgeron hopped on the SEC teleconference to explain Stingley Jr.’s status.

“It was one of these injuries that was nagging,” Orgeron said of his First-Team All-American defender. “Obviously, had to go to the doctor, had it taken care of. We don’t know when he’ll be back or if he’ll be back. Obviously, if he can be back we’ll be happy. If not, we’ll carry on.”

As for a potential return later this year, Orgeron replied, “I think that if he can, I think he will. Knowing Derek and talking to him, he wants to come back to his team and, obviously, as you know, that’s a decision a family has to make.”

LSU will turn to reserve sophomore corner Dwight McGlothern for help in Stingley Jr.’s absence. Orgeron said McGlothern has been playing very well as a backup.

Starting safety Jay Ward can also play corner if necessary, although LSU hopes to avoid going that route with fellow safety Major Burns also out.

“Major Burns is going to be out this week,” Coach O added. “He’s not playing. Hopefully, Todd Harris can come back and make some plays for us. Eli Ricks and Dwight (McGlothern), Raydarious Jones are going to have to play a little bit. Those guys can play. If that’s what we have. If we have to, we don’t want to do that, but in an emergency, we can move Jay Ward there.”

Todd Harris is LSU’s backup strong safety; Ricks the starting corner opposite Stingley Jr.; and Raydarious Jones has seen very limited action in only two games this year.

Stingley Jr. and Ricks are considered one of the best 1-2 punches in college football, if not the best when they’re healthy.

The injuries are obviously a devastating blow to LSU’s secondary and it eases Kentucky’s troubles without Josh Ali playing next to Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson will likely draw Ricks the entire game, often with a double team. But there will be inexperienced talent matched up with whoever Mark Stoops and Liam Coen use in place of Ali, making it a fair fight in the injury column or even an edge to Kentucky.

Add LSU’s unfortunate absences to the growing emphasis on getting Robinson the ball this week and there is a big opportunity for Robinson to attack LSU’s last line of defense.

Go Cats.