LSU is looking to earn a big SEC West road win on Saturday against Mississippi State, but it may be undermanned heading into that game.
Two Tigers starters are dealing with injuries leading up to the game and may not be able to play, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Thursday night.
Tight end [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag], who exited Saturday’s win over Grambling with an ankle sprain, is considered day-to-day. Linebacker [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag], an accomplished transfer from Oregon State, will travel with the team to Starkville but is doubtful to play less than 48 hours before kick, according to Kelly.
Mason Taylor is a game-time decision after practicing today, Brian Kelly said. Omar Speights will travel, but Kelly feels less optimistic 48 hours out. He's doubtful. #LSU will see.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 14, 2023
Assuming Speights doesn’t play, LSU will turn to [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag], [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag] and [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] to shore up the inside linebacker group. Kelly said that [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag], who began the year playing off the ball but moved back to the edge last week, will remain on the outside.
If Omar Speights can't play, #LSU will play Greg Penn, Whit Weeks and West Weeks at inside linebacker. Kelly said Harold Perkins will stay outside and on the edge.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 14, 2023
Taylor, meanwhile, is the only returning player in LSU’s tight end room. He’s a major part of the offense, and without him, the Tigers would have to turn to a largely unproven group that includes JUCO transfer [autotag]Connor Gilbreath[/autotag] and true freshmen [autotag]Mac Markway[/autotag], [autotag]Jackson McGohan[/autotag] and [autotag]Ka’Morreun Pimpton[/autotag].
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