Brian Kelly updated the status of sophomore running back Caden Durham on Thursday, calling Durham a game-time decision for No. 4 LSU‘s showdown at No. 13 Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon.
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Durham is more than a sparkplug — he’s the Tigers’ leading rusher, by far, with 213 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns through the season’s first 4 games. Kelly hopes to have Durham back for Saturday’s SEC battle of unbeatens in Oxford that will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Durham has a sprained ankle, which he suffered during the second quarter of LSU’s rout of Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday. The Oklahoma City product was tackled after a carry, like always. But this was no normal carry, with Durham slow to get up before limping to the sideline. He never returned in the 56-10 victory that improved LSU to 4-0.
Ole Miss is also 4-0, and Kelly knows getting Durham back on the field on Saturday will be crucial. He’s not going to force the issue, though.
“He’s got to be able to cut and accelerate and do things. He was better (Thursday) and, quite honestly, we’re going to give him right up to game time. He wants to play,” Brian Kelly said.
If Durham can’t go on Saturday, LSU will likely rely on a group effort that includes Ju’Juan Johnson, Harlem Barry, and Kaleb Jackson.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
