LSU backup QB reportedly wearing splint on throwing hand at practice
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
As starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and No. 9 LSU prepare for the season opener at No. 4 Clemson, his backup reportedly is dealing with a hand injury. The Daily Advertiser‘s Cory Diaz is reporting that sophomore Michael Van Buren Jr. wore a splint on his middle or index finger of his throwing hand.
“He took air reps behind formation but was not really involved in any throwing that we saw,” Diaz said.
Nussmeier was durable last season, making 13 starts and passing for 4,043 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. So hopefully Van Buren’s injury doesn’t affect LSU’s depth at quarterback.
The 21-year-old Van Buren arrives at LSU after spending his first college season at Mississippi State. Coming out of high school in Baltimore, Van Buren initially committed to Oregon before flipping to Mississippi State. Van Buren made 8 starts and 10 appearances for the Bulldogs.
In his starts Van Buren went 1-7. Overall, Van Buren amassed 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions through the air while also rushing for 5 scores.
LSU at Clemson is slated for Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. This is the first meeting between the programs since LSU beat Clemson in the College Football Playoff national title game on Jan. 13, 2020.
