LSU has inserted itself into the top teams in the country conversation with its tremendous offensive play early this season. The Tigers are playing well defensively too, but they are currently dealing with an injury to one of their best defenders — linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson.

Chaisson dealt with an ankle injury throughout September and has only played in two games this season. Fortunately, LSU just had its bye, giving the sophomore some extra time to rest, but Tigers coach Ed Orgeron remains uncertain whether he will play this week against Utah State.

“He’s still a little gimpy,” Orgeron said in his Monday press conference. “He’s not 100 percent back yet. He tried to practice last week, he did a couple of things. He’s going to practice again today, but he’s limited. We are going to see where we can get him this week – we definitely need him for the pass rush and if he’s healthy, we are going to play him but I don’t know if he’s going to be ready.”

Not that LSU is going to take anyone lightly, but it’s much more important that Chaisson is ready to face Florida when the Gators visit a week from this Saturday. With that in mind, it would make sense that Orgeron is unwilling to play Chaisson, in case of a setback, unless he is fully healthy.

Chaisson has 10 total tackles, including five solos, 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack in two games this season.

LSU will host Utah State this Saturday at 12 pm ET. Then the Tigers will host two Top 10 teams in the next three weeks — Florida and Auburn.