LSU will head into its matchup with Mississippi State with a few familiar names still sitting on the injury report, but the bigger storyline belongs to the Bulldogs and quarterback Kamario Taylor.
Taylor is the player everyone will be watching once Friday’s status is released. He has been dealing with the injury he suffered against Alabama, and his availability could swing the entire game. He has not had a full practice since that Oct. 3 meeting with the Tide because of a foot issue, and the initial report from Wednesday night leaves him listed as questionable.
Mississippi State’s report also included running back Fluff Bothwell as questionable, while linebacker Zakari Tillman was tagged doubtful. The Bulldogs also listed linebacker Jalen Smith, wide receiver Ayden Williams, and defensive linemen Trevion Williamson and Diesel Moye as out.
If Taylor is unable to play, Mississippi State would likely turn to redshirt freshman walk-on Parker Puckett. That would create a very different challenge for LSU’s defense, which would be facing a far less proven option under center. Taylor has been one of the most electric quarterbacks in the country, and the Bulldogs don’t have nearly the same kind of answer behind him.
Bothwell’s situation matters too. He was also hurt against Alabama and had been rolling before that, putting together three straight games with at least 100 yards. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and Mississippi State’s backup group managed just 37 yards on 20 carries last week.
LSU’s report was lighter by comparison. The Tigers had five players listed out: tight end Trey’Dez Green, linebacker Whit Weeks, safety Dashawn Spears, wide receiver Phillip Wright III, and linebacker Charles Ross II. Linebacker Tylen Singleton was the only Tiger listed as questionable.
That status is worth monitoring for LSU’s linebacker depth. Davhon Keys has been the starter, but Singleton is expected to play as well. He managed only three snaps last week, so the Tigers will be hoping he can give that room a boost if he’s available.
For LSU, the encouraging part is that there were no major surprises on the initial update. After a rough stretch of injury losses earlier this season, things have started to settle down. The hope now is that the out list keeps shrinking over the next month.
The uncertainty around Taylor is also part of why LSU is favored by more than two touchdowns, with the line moving since it opened. Friday’s update on the Mississippi State quarterback will tell the real story of how much firepower the Bulldogs can bring into this one.
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For LSU, the uncertainty matters because the Bulldogs offense could look very different if either player is limited or unavailable. Lebby has already identified possible replacements, but the Tigers will be watching to see whether Mississippi State can get either Taylor or Bothwell back in time, since their status could shape how much stress LSUs defense has to absorb on Saturday. [Read more 🡒]