LSU football has had a difficult time getting its running game going through its first two games, and it won't be getting reinforcements in the form of John Emery.
The running back was expected to split lead carries with fellow junior Ty Davis-Price, but he'll be "unavailable" the rest of the season, Tigers coach Ed Orgeron confirmed Monday. The issue keeping Emery out was not disclosed by the Tigers coach, but it was reported to be an academic issue.
"Most of the guys that didn't play [against McNeese] were for injuries. Most of them, not all of them," Orgeron said. "Some of them we'll get back this week, some of them we'll not. Now, John is unavailable all year. He's the only one right now that's unavailable all year."
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Orgeron added that Armoni Goodwin will be questionable after getting his first carries of his freshman season in the win over McNeese State, and Tre Bradford is expected to be available.
"I do believe that they [Goodwin and Corey Kiner] need to touch the ball more, and that's the same thing I saw in camp," Orgeron said. "Those guys are dynamite."
Emery's absence came as a surprise when the Tigers took the field at the Rose Bowl in their opener, and Orgeron said he was hopeful to get an update on his running back's status by the Friday before the matchup with McNeese. The news wasn't positive. But while Orgeron is planning to be without the highly touted recruit, he did leave the door cracked for a potential return if the circumstances change.
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"Right now he's unavailable," Orgeron said. "Now, things could change, and if they do change we'll play him. ... Could they change? Yea. But that's out of my control."
LSU faces Central Michigan on Saturday at Tiger Stadium before opening SEC play the following week on the road against Mississippi State.