The LSU Tigers received mixed injury news after the weekend, with one star looking like he could return this year while two others are done for the season.
The LSU Tigers lost to the Ole Miss Rebels last weekend, but the biggest worry afterwards was the health of a couple of players who went down with injuries during the game.
Since then, there have been updates on both Trey'Dez Green and Dashawn Spears, along with an unexpected third for Phillip Wright III. Here is the latest for each of the Tigers' players:
TE Trey'Dez Green
A collective sigh of relief was felt in Baton Rouge as Green's mother, Laketrackey Green, shared on Facebook that the MRIs had come back negative and that there was no structural damage to the knee. The tight end took a direct helmet hit to the knee, so the scare was real, but it looks like anything major was avoided.
This is still going to cost him at least a couple of weeks, likely, and there is no real timetable for his return. So while it is positive news, it is still something that is going to have a heavy impact on this season.
Before going down, Green had already racked up 14 catches for 222 yards and a score. That would put him on pace for a nearly 900-yard season from tight end, which is very hard to do. He is an incredible weapon and a safety blanket in the red zone that this offense already missed in the game against the Rebels.
This is where the addition of Dae'Quan Wright would have come in very handy. Now they will rely on Zach Grace and Malachi Thomas in that slot for the foreseeable future.
S Dashawn Spears
Now to the truly brutal news: Spears is done for the year with an ACL injury, coach Lane Kiffin confirmed on Monday. Spears is equally impactful as a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. He is a perfect fit for the Blake Baker defense with his combination of size, speed and football IQ.
Tamarcus Cooley, Jhase Thomas and CJ Jimcoily all saw action in the slot throughout the game, but Cooley is the likely long-term replacement. The defense has more talent to be able to account for the injury, but that doesn't mean it isn't a devastating loss.
WR Phillip Wright III
Lastly, Kiffin recently updated that Wright will also be done for the year with an undisclosed injury. He was a depth wide receiver who didn't see the field much, but was always impactful when he did. He had 3 catches for 70 yards and a score over his first two games. Wright's future in Baton Rouge is bright, and they will be excited to welcome him back to the offense next season. His speed has game-breaking potential, and his skill set seems perfect for the Kiffin offense.
