Injury Update: LSU starting WR Chris Hilton

LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton was not dressed for warm-ups on the field at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas just under two hours before kickoff. As the rest of the team went though light work, Hilton was in sweats and running shoes sitting out.

The Tigers’ staff worked to get him healthy over the past week as Hilton recovers from a “bone bruise” that occurred late in fall camp and on Sunday, but now it seems he will not be active for the Tigers. It is expected that redshirt freshman Kyle Parker will step into his place in the starting lineup.

Chris Hilton in street clothes for this one it looks like. #LSU pic.twitter.com/hIYdyH0phs

— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) September 1, 2024

“Chris is still in progression and we’re hopeful we get him ready to play, but he’s making good progress,” Kelly said on Thursday night.

Hilton did not practice on Monday, however, Tuesday’s practice brought progress as Hilton tested out his injury by running drills with the training staff – and on Wednesday and Thursday, the team attempted to ramp up his workload.

“We had (about an hour practice on Monday) and he was working on getting in and out of routes, precision work,” Kelly said on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I know he wants to play. I know he’s working towards playing on Sunday. We’ll see how the week goes.”

Hilton has worked through fall camp as one of three starting wide receivers alongside Kyren Lacy and Liberty transfer CJ Daniels.

Lacy logged 30 catches for 558 yards and seven touchdowns as LSU’s No. 3 wide receiver a year ago, which were impressive numbers given he was playing behind a pair of NFL first-round picks in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

With Lacy moving into the No. 1 wide receiver role, the Tigers brought in a pair of transfers at the position. Daniels, who made the move from Liberty to LSU, was one of only two wide receivers who entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after combining for double-digit touchdowns and more than 1,000 receiving yards during the 2023 season.

Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas, a Louisiana native who has been one of the SEC’s best return specialists while also going over the 500-yard receiving mark in 2023, will be involved regardless of Hilton’s status vs. USC. If Hilton is not medically cleared, expect to see the workload increase for Thomas.

That’s also the case for redshirt freshman Kyle Parker, who has been the backup at Hilton’s position during fall camp. On Wednesday, Kelly said Parker’s offseason between his freshman season and upcoming sophomore campaign brought major strides for the former 4-star out of Texas.

“It’s really about this consistent performance level … play in and play out that gives us the trust and confidence that we’re going to get when it’s time to perform. That’s what Kyle has showed us, a much more consistent ball catcher, much more consistent on the perimeter in blocking, route running,” Kelly said. “A long story short, (Parker is) a guy you can trust now. I don’t think we have to live with mistakes with a guy like Kyle Parker. He can operate at a high level for us.”

One-time Alabama transfer and Louisiana native Aaron Anderson, who appeared in 11 games with a pair of starts for LSU in 2023, will also see his name called whether Hilton is able to play or not. And much like with Thomas and Parker, the absence of Hilton would mean even more playing time for receivers like Anderson.

“We can move pieces around,” Kelly said. “Zavion Thomas (will get) more involved in what we do. Aaron Anderson gets called on a little bit more, and you can bump Kyren out to the X (position), as well.

“We have a lot of moving pieces where guys can (step in).”

Beyond Hilton, Kelly had circled starting right guard Miles Frazier as the only other player on the injury list for Week 1, but on Thursday though he said Frazier was “probable” when it came to being ready for Sunday afternoon’s matchup with USC. From there, no other LSU players who were on hand for fall camp are expected to miss the season opener.

“There is nobody that has been practicing with us that (is not playing) for some reason other than injury,” Kelly said.

LSU heads into the opener on Sunday in Las Vegas ranked No. 13, while Southern Cal checked into the preseason AP Top 25 at No. 23.