LSU's Injury Report: Hilton's return, two key starters doubtful
It’s been a grinding five-week stretch for LSU, playing five SEC games, three on the road, and now getting a non-conference game with Army before a welcomed bye week that follows. The Tigers are 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in SEC play, looking to make one final push at the SEC West title in the month of November.
Head coach Brian Kelly gave the latest update to the injury report heading into this week’s game against Army. Here are the three names he listed.
WR Chris Hilton – Probable
RT Emery Jones – Doubtful
DT Mekhi Wingo – Doubtful
Hilton’s high ankle sprain has held him out of the last two games against Missouri and Auburn, but now it appears he’s recovered in that 3-4 week window and is looking at a return this week. I assume his usage will still be minimized as they continue to ramp him back up, but he’s at least an option going into the week. LSU’s offense is not lacking at receiver as the starting trio of Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, and Kyren Lacy have solidified themselves as one of the best receiver trios in the SEC. Still, for a player that has dealt with injury after injury, it’s good that Hilton made a speedy recovery.
Wingo seems to be more of a load management situation, based on what Kelly said and it’s 100 percent the correct move. Wingo continues to play a ton of snaps every SEC game and deserves these two weeks of recovery before Alabama on Nov. 4. Without him, I assume Jordan Jefferson and Jacobian Guillory get significantly more snaps on Saturday for LSU against Army and its running attack.
Top 10
- 1
UConn star hospitalized
Alex Karaban hospitalized at Maui Invitational
- 2
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 3Trending
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 4
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
- 5Hot
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
Next up at right tackle
With Jones sidelined, Kelly will be turning back to true freshman Lance Heard at right tackle this week against Army. Heard played nearly a full game on Saturday against Auburn, took his lumps, but overall showed the strength and upside that comes with being a five-star prospect.
For many LSU fans, it was only a matter of time until Heard forced his way into the lineup, but with the way the starting five had been playing week in and week out, Heard remained on the sideline waiting for his opportunity, The hope is that Jones’ injury does not extend past the bye week, but it affords Heard to get a shot at preparing and playing a full game at right tackle to show where he’s at against a physical Army team.
“When you have a true freshman you can plug and play in an SEC game and not have to worry about fanning to that side, chipping, or leaving a tight end to help, I believe that’s a luxury. He played 69 snaps and had a couple false starts and a holding penalty but those are things you’re going to live with with a young guy that’s going in. His poise, his ability to work with the guys, his communication, I’m really pleased with his play.”
