LSU RB John Emery suffers minor injury amid promising spring practices
As the media was allowed in to practice on Thursday, LSU running back John Emery Jr. was being helped off the field with what Emery tweeted was a twisted ankle. Despite it not looking good for the former five-star prospect, Emery will be fine, according to head coach Brian Kelly.
“Doesn’t seem to be a major injury at all,” Kelly said on Saturday. “It seems to be a minor injury that maybe something that we can get him back next week.”
Meanwhile, a young back in Frank Wilson’s room is out for an extended time with an injury. Corey Kiner, a second-year running back, is out for the rest of spring, it seems.
“Seems like a high ankle sprain,” Kelly said. “The early indications are that’s going to be 2-3 weeks.”
Watching John Emery this spring, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock sees a player who’s set to break out. Emery missed the 2021 season due to academics, but took care of business this offseason to get back to where he needed to be.
“I like the direction that he’s going. I think he’s learning how to strain more,” Denbrock said this week. “He’s ultra talented. His talent level is off the charts in all areas of playing the running back position. I think as he continues to learn the system, and all of them are swimming a little bit, he’s been bitten by that bug a little bit from time to time, but he’s fought through it and I’m proud of where he’s headed.
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“I think there’s a huge contribution from him coming in the fall.”
John Emery a part of competitive LSU RB room
LSU will add Penn State transfer Noah Cain in the summer into the fold, only adding to the competition that’s developing. Armoni Goodwin broke a big run in Saturday’s open practice while Tre Bradford and Josh Williams continue to contribute as well.
“You saw Armoni hit a downhill, direct snap inside zone play and he’s got low pads obviously just by his stature, but he’s explosive. Williams has done a nice job. They’ve all got different skillsets and they all can contribute in some fashion. I just think you’re going to see a lot of guys play at that position. We’re going to play to each one of their traits as well.
“I think Tre’s done a really nice job and he’s improved from Day 1. He didn’t know how to practice. He’s starting to understand how to practice. Each one of them has shown different traits that they have and we will play to those. I don’t know if you’ll see one guy on the field for 1st, 2nd and 3rd down per se. I think each one of them will contribute.”
Whether it’s John Emery, the biggest recruit in the room, or one of the returners or a newcomer in Cain, LSU will have a deep room that offers a lot of different options for the offense in 2022.
