LSU may be heading into its showdown with Auburn even thinner than it already was.
Two more starters, Princewill Umanmielen and Jackson Harris, are expected to land on the injury report this week after both exited Saturday’s win over Mississippi State and later returned to the sideline in street clothes. They joined a growing list of unavailable key pieces that already included Whit Weeks, Trey'Dez Green and Dashawn Spears.
For LSU, the “next-man-up” approach has moved from a useful slogan to a weekly requirement.
Umanmielen left Saturday with an upper body injury that is believed to be a head injury. He came off in the first half, walked to the locker room under his own power and later returned to the sideline after the break in street clothes. He appeared closer to a return than Harris, but if he enters concussion protocol, he could miss time.
Kiffin said he had no new medical information on Umanmielen.
“I don’t have any updates medically for you,” Kiffin said on Sunday.
If Umanmielen is out, Dylan Carpenter is the likely replacement. The third-year LSU player has already made a case for more snaps this season, and he took advantage of his opportunity Saturday with two tackles, half a tackle for loss and half a sack. At times this year, he’s even earned playing time over Jordan Ross on LSU’s edge.
Harris’ situation looked more serious on the sideline. He limped off Saturday, spent time in the medical tent, then made his way to the locker room with a boot on his foot before returning in street clothes.
That’s a major hit for LSU’s passing game. Harris has been the team’s top receiver this season with 456 receiving yards on 27 catches. He also leads the Tigers with five touchdown receptions and tops all LSU receivers with more than three catches in yards per catch at 16.9.
Before exiting in the third quarter, the transfer from Hawaii had already done damage, leading LSU in receiving yards for the game with 85 on six receptions and two scores.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Kiffin said on Sunday. “(Harris) was playing great, really coming along great.
I think our passing game in general really has hit a good stride here lately, and a lot of that was having to do with him. He’s really started to take shorter plays and turn them into big plays and looks really fast and confident.”
If Harris can’t go against Auburn, LSU would likely lean on freshman Corey Barber Jr. or Illinois transfer Malik Elzy on the road.
Kiffin was also asked after the game about Mississippi State being without Kamario Taylor and whether that mattered.
“I don’t have a lot of empathy for injuries," Kiffin said.
What he saw on LSU’s sideline Saturday underscored the issue. Along with Umanmielen and Harris, the Tigers were already without major contributors Whit Weeks, Trey'Dez Green and Dashawn Spears.
And Auburn is next.
“Auburn is playing really well,” Kiffin said. “They did something a team rarely ever does - win at Georgia.
They have a really good offense and some really good-looking players on defense. We’re going to try to get a win before the bye and hopefully get a little better (with injuries).”
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