LSU’s passing game has kept rolling with Winnie Watkins Jr. on the field, even as the wide receiver has been dealing with a torn ligament in his right thumb since the Kentucky game on Oct. 10.
Watkins still leads the Tigers with 37 catches, and the injury has not shown up much in his production. He had six receptions for 62 yards in the loss at Kentucky, then followed with four catches for 31 yards in the win over Mississippi State and four more for 40 yards in the win over Auburn. Before that, the sophomore transfer from Ole Miss had three catches for 54 yards in LSU’s loss at Ole Miss.
He now has 487 receiving yards, which ranks second on the team behind Jackson Harris. Harris has 36 catches for 634 yards and seven touchdowns, and with Watkins limited and tight end Trey’Dez Green missing time after injuring his knee at Ole Miss on Sept. 19, Harris has emerged as quarterback Sam Leavitt’s top option.
The thumb issue has been out there since the Kentucky game, when it was mentioned on the LSU Radio Network broadcast. Still, it drew little attention afterward because Watkins never sat out and never showed up on the SEC’s availability reports.
Winston Watkins is dealing with a right thumb injury, per the broadcast. #LSU
- Koki Riley (@KokiRiley) October 11, 2026
Watkins finally addressed it this week on Matt Moscona’s “After Further Review” show on 104.5 FM radio. He has not been available during LSU’s Tuesday player interviews.
“When I was catching the ball, I think the DB (defensive back) was trying to go for the ball,” Watkins said, explaining how the injury happened. “But he missed the ball and ripped at my thumb. It went back, and when it went back, I felt a sensation like a burning.”
The open week may have helped. Watkins said his thumb should be in better shape by the time No.
15 LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) hosts No. 9 Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
“It should be back to all the way healthy in a couple of weeks,” Watkins said. “I’m still good to play. It doesn’t affect me at all.”
In Other News...
LSU Enters CFP Ranking Debate With Plenty On The Line
The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season arrive Tuesday night, and LSU should be part of the conversation when the committee unveils its initial top 25 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Based on the Tigers current record and how similar teams have been viewed in past seasons, the expectation is that LSU lands somewhere around No. 15, which would give the program an early measuring stick in a year where every weekly jump matters.
For LSU, the ranking is less about the number itself than what it says about the path ahead. A spot in the first release would put the Tigers on the board in the CFP debate, but it also leaves plenty of room for movement as the season unfolds. The committees first look often sets the tone for the rest of November, and LSU will be watching closely to see whether it starts from a position of respect or from one that still demands a climb. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Just Got A Huge Opening Night Roster Question Resolved
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The biggest development came with Gilad Levy, the 7-foot-3 center from Israel who played professionally in Spain, getting the green light from the NCAA through a military service exemption. LSU also chose not to bring in RJ Luis, even after a temporary restraining order tied to his eligibility, leaving Wade with a roster that is complete and ready to go without another late surprise. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Still Waiting To Learn If Texas Gets The Biggest Stage
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The timing will be sorted out after a pivotal Saturday that includes LSU against Alabama and Texas against Missouri, with the league aiming to place the most nationally appealing game in the primetime window. No specific criteria have been announced, so for now the Tigers and Longhorns are stuck in limbo while the results around them help decide just how big that stage will be. [Read more 🡒]