While the LSU offense continues to turn out points, the defense has plenty of things to improve upon in the next two weeks leading up to the SEC Championship Game. The unit did take one step forward Monday, though, with the return of linebacker Michael Divinity.

The senior linebacker left the program about two weeks ago prior to the matchup with Alabama for personal reasons. He returned to practice on Monday.

Divinity has 23 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in just five games this season. He was outstanding against Texas, recording 10 tackles, but he has only played in four of LSU’s eight games since then. Divinity registered five tackles against Auburn on Oct. 26, which is his highest total in an SEC contest this fall.

Last year, Divinity was tied for fourth on the team with 54 tackles in 12 games.

It’s unclear at this time whether this means Divinity will play this Saturday against Arkansas, but just having him back at practice is a good thing. LSU is ninth in both scoring and total defense. The last two weeks against Alabama and Ole Miss, the Tigers have allowed 78 points.

As great as quarterback Joe Burrow and the offense has been, giving up 39 points per game is not a recipe for championship success. LSU getting Divinity back onto the field is, however, a key ingredient to a title recipe.