LSU Availability Report: Jayden Daniels update, key injuries
LSU head coach Brian Kelly took the podium on Monday afternoon fully aware that his team was beat up and battling in some key spots after the win over Missouri on Saturday. Over the course of his press conference, Kelly updated the injury report and gave an update on the status of star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Here’s the update and quick thoughts on where the Tigers stand at these positions.
WR Chris Hilton – Doubtful
Hilton has a high ankle sprain that he suffered at the end of the game against Ole Miss and it does not sound like it’s something he’s going to return from anytime soon. It is unclear how long the timetable is for his return, but a high ankle sprain usually requires 4-6 weeks of recovery time, which would put Hilton likely as doubtful for the next two weeks as well before the bye week. That is purely speculative, though.
WR Aaron Anderson – Probable
Anderson had been recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him the last two games and now the hope is he returns out wide for the Tigers. Without Hilton or Anderson, it had been exclusively Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, and Kyren Lacy getting the snaps at receiver, so we’ll see if Anderson can return to take some pressure off the group.
LB Omar Speights – Probable
Speights has been in and out of LSU’s lineup over the past month, dealing with a recurring hip flexor injury. In his place, Whit Weeks has excelled as a true freshman and looks to be comfortably in a spot where he can handle a large share of snaps. We’ll see how Speights factors in and how the linebacker rotation works on his potential return.
OL Charles Turner – Probable
“Charles had an MRI, it turned out to be positive as he doesn’t have a meniscus,” Kelly said. “It’s probable that he’ll get a chance to play.”
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There was a concern from the LSU staff that the injury was worse than it was. Turner left the game and did not return on Saturday, but is now listed as probable. Marlon Martinez and DJ Chester came in his place with some mixed results. If I had to guess, I’d say Martinez would be the starter if Turner could not go, based on what Brian Kelly said.
Jayden Daniels update
Daniels was a warrior in the win over Missouri and now has a week to recover before yet another SEC game. He left the game with bruised ribs, but returned on the following series and finished the contest. Kelly did not put him on the injury report and had this to say on Monday.
“Our biggest concern was overall soreness,” Kelly said. “He got hit a number of times. It was a physical game. He was in the film room this morning and got his normal film study in. He’ll be full go for practice on Tuesday.”
Daniels has been the engine for this incredible offense this season and now has two home games against Auburn and Army before the bye week.
