Bama vs. LSU: Injury updates from Baton Rouge

With No. 15 LSU (6-2) set to face No. 6 Alabama (7-1) on Saturday night in Death Valley, both teams have the benefit of a bye week to rest up following the first two months of the season.

For LSU, that means getting multiple starters back on the field in a game where the winner will control its’ own destiny in the race to win the SEC West and land in the SEC Championship Game in December.

On Monday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly shared updates on a number of players who have been battling injuries, which included more good news than bad.

Major Burns gives a boost to the secondary

LSU safety Major Burns, who suffered a neck injury in September and hasn’t played in a game since, will return to the practice field this week as a full-go ahead of the matchup with the Tide.

“Major Burns is cleared to participate,” Kelly said. “He will be out at practice today and in our game plan. We expect him to play and be an important part of what we do.”

With Burns out of the lineup, the Tigers leaned heavily on a combination of Jay Ward, Joe Foucha and converted cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse. Burns could return to the starting group on Saturday against Alabama, though even if he’s not in on the opening play, he’s expected to carry a heavy work load. 

Dellinger could give LSU a starter back on the OL

In September, starting offensive guard Garrett Dellinger suffered a broken hand that required surgery, though it didn’t keep him off the field long.

Dellinger returned in time for October’s home bout with Tennessee, but he exited the game with a knee injury. Kelly later said Dellinger suffered a “Grade 2 MCL strain” and would be sidelined multiple weeks.

Following LSU’s bye, Dellinger is back at practice for the first time, which means he carries a day-to-day injury tag through the week ahead.

He had a good (bye week),” Kelly said. “That’s a little different because he has to take a load on that knee. You have to be able to take the load. That’s what we are working on right now. We think we will get him there, but it’s still a process. 

“We have to add practice to it. We will see how he feels each day after practice. But, he’s making good progress.”

Kelly confirmed Dellinger will still wear a protective cast following his hand injury in September.

“It will be a soft cast,” Kelly said. “It’s the knee that is more of a concern than the hand.”

LSU has operated with Miles Frazier at left guard and Anthony Bradford at right guard during Dellinger’s absence. If Dellinger returns, Frazier could move back to his previous starting spot at right guard. Will Campbell and Emery Jones remain the team’s true freshmen starters at offensive tackle, and Charles Turner continues to man the center position.

The offense could get both Bech, Emery back

LSU wide receiver and punt returner Jack Bech left the win over Florida with an injury, and he sat out of the game against Ole Miss two weeks ago. 

But with multiple weeks of rest, Kelly said the word back from the training staff on Monday was that the sophomore receiver would be available against the Crimson Tide.

“I’m certain Jack will practice. Jack is much improved and cleared to get out on the practice field today.”

While Bech has appeared in seven of the team’s eight games, he’s recorded just 10 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. His receptions are 8th-most on the team, while his receiving yards are 9th-most. Bech had finished his freshman season in 2021 with the team lead in catches (43) and third on the team in receiving yards (489).

Running back John Emery was dressed out for the win over Ole Miss, but he didn’t see any playing time after suffering an injury in pre-game warmups.

Kelly confirmed a week ago that Emery suffered a minor achilles injury, and he operated through the bye week with a “day-to-day” injury tag. 

“I didn’t get a (detailed) report from our training room on Emery (this morning),” Kelly said. “Both (Emery and Bech) will practice today.”

After sitting out all of the 2021 season and the first two games this season as part of a 15-game academic suspension, Emery has returned to appear in five games, where he’s logged 40 carries for 154 yards and a touchdown to go along with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.