LSU kicked off the 2020 season against Mississippi State and without star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. due to injury. It appears the same thing could be in the cards to open Southeastern Conference play a year later.
Stingley left practice this week with an injury, which coach Ed Orgeron confirmed to be a re-aggravation of what hampered the junior cornerback throughout camp.
"We’re having our doctors look at it," Orgeron said while not sharing the details of the injury itself. [Stingley is] very questionable for the game.”
Stingley made his presence felt early against Central Michigan, leveling a hit after a short pass to the flat that jarred the ball loose for a fumble that was scooped up and run back for a score by defensive end Andre Anthony. The defensive end and team leader was hurt later in the game and is out for the year, Orgeron said earlier in the week.
With Stingley absent last season the LSU defense got torched by Mike Leach's air raid scheme. Orgeron is hoping this year's group can avoid the same fate, and it'll be Dwight McGlothern relied on in the outside cornerback spot if Stingley is unable to play. Safety Jay Ward could also shift over to corner if needed, Orgeron said.
“We always have the next-man up theory. We always say we’re going to need everybody. Next man up. Now it’s another guy’s chance," Orgeron said. "Injuries are part of the game. There’s nothing we can do about it. It’s very unfortunate. But the next-man up theory, it gives opportunity for another guy to play. So we’ve guys that are excited, some guys that haven’t played much. And I think they’re going to play very well.”
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THE PLAN AT LEFT TACKLE
It'll be a "game day decision," Orgeron says, with Cam Wire still questionable despite returning to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday. He'll be reassessed on game day to see if he'll be able to play.
On the other side of the equation, it's been Anthony Bradford and Garrett Dellenger fighting to earn that role throughout the week.
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OUT 'INDEFINITELY'
Wide receiver Chris Hilton is out "indefinitely," Orgeron said, adding to the list of players unavailable for the Tigers heading into SEC play.
But another of the players on that list is still up in the air. Running back John Emery was spotted practicing with the team, but it's still unclear if he'll be able to clear up academic issues that have kept him out of the first three games. Orgeron said the situation is being handled by lawyers for Emery's camp, and the team had heard rumors there could be an update by Friday.
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THE RB APPROACH?
Whether Emery is available or not, Orgeron said to expect a number of LSU running backs seeing action on Saturday.
After a one-game absence, freshman Armoni Goodwin is expected to return. He'll see action, along with junior Ty Davis-Price, freshman Corey Kiner and possibly sophomore Josh Williams. Sophomore Tre Bradford is still unavailable.
"I plan on playing them all," Orgeron said.
The most impressive of that group through three games has been the freshman Kiner, who's rolled up 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts against Central Michigan and McNeese State.
"He’s a strong runner, can break tackles, can run inside, can run outside," Orgeron said of Kiner after the victory over the Chippewas. "He’s got a spark about him."
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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com