Brian Kelly interrupted the regularly scheduled media availability schedule on Friday to give a status update on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Internet speculation picked up earlier this week that Nussmeier was dealing with an injury early in fall camp. Geaux247 reported earlier in the week that Nussmeier left practice early on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury and did not return to the field. Rumors then spread quickly about the severity of that injury.
The team’s official social media account shared a photo of Nussmeier and backup Michael Van Buren out at practice on Friday, and Kelly later revealed that Nussmeier did throw during Friday’s practice and is expected to be on the field again on Saturday. His exit on Wednesday was precautionary, Kelly said.
“Just for the record, he has tendinitis — patella tendinitis. He does not have a torn ACL. We have not amputated his leg,” Brian Kelly told reporters, tongue in cheek. “Thought we’d calm everybody down. And a lot of that is due to his 2023 Osgood-Schlatter surgery that he had where the tendon was irritated.
“This is just chronic.”
Kelly said he believed Nussmeier just planted his leg wrong on a play and aggravated a pre-existing condition. Asked if there were any long-term concerns about Nussmeier’s health, Kelly quickly said no. Nothing is torn or frayed, and Kelly said he doesn’t anticipate changing Nussmeier’s practice regimen as a result.
“It’s tendinitis,” he added. “On the scale of 1-10, this is like a 1.5.”
Nussmeier is the leading returning passer in the SEC this season. In his first year as a full-time starter, Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 64.2% of his throws.
He’s widely regarded as the top returning quarterback in the conference and one of the best passers in the country. He is among the preseason favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, according to early Heisman odds. And his presence in the LSU backfield makes the Tigers a threat to reach the College Football Playoff.
At BetMGM, LSU is +130 to make the CFP this season. That number would obviously look significantly different if Nussmeier was unavailable for any extended period of time.
But Kelly says he doesn’t even know which knee is bothering Nussmeier, so it doesn’t sound like there’s any reason to worry about the Tiger quarterback. Kelly certainly isn’t.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
