LSU’s most dynamic player on defense, linebacker Harold Perkins, will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL after making a tackle in Saturday’s win against UCLA.
Perkins was given the number seven jersey prior to the season because of his playmaking abilities on defense.
He started the season at weakside linebacker, but moved to strongside linebacker in the hopes he can be more of a force.
In his first two seasons at LSU, he recorded a total of 77 tackles, 26 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, seven forced fumbles, nine passes defensed and two interceptions.
But Perkins has been quiet this season, with just 1.5 tackles for a loss, and zero sacks or passes defensed, forced fumbles and interceptions.
Even though he has not stuffed the stat sheet, Perkins is someone opposing offenses must account for and make sure he’s blocked if he rushes the quarterback.
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Coach Brian Kelly was asked on Saturday who would replace Perkins at linebacker, because LSU likes having three linebackers on the field.
Kelly mentioned that Major Burns can move from safety to linebacker to play alongside Greg Penn Jr, and Whit Weeks. Whit’s older brother West Weeks is also expected to return this Saturday from an injury.
West Weeks had a strong preseason camp and had five tackles in the first two games, but has missed the last two games with an injury. He is expected back for Saturday’s game against South Alabama.
Perkins is the third major player on this Tigers team to suffer a season ending injury, John Emery Jr (ACL) and Jacobian Guillory (Achilles tear) are the other two.