LSU head football coach Brian Kelly downplayed the severity of a knee injury quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is currently dealing with.
On Friday, Kelly told reporters that Nussmeier has tendinitis in his knee, adding: “It’s not torn, there’s no fraying, there’s none of that. This is preexisting. … There’s nothing to really see on film with it, but it pissed it off. He aggravated it a little bit, but he’s good to go.”
Kelly made it clear that the injury is not significant just two days after unsubstantiated rumors circulated on social media that Nussmeier had suffered a “major injury” during practice, per SI.com’s Zack Nagy.
Kelly expressed his belief that the severity of Nussmeier’s injury is a “1.5 out of 10,” and said, “It’s not a serious injury. Guys are dealing with tendinitis virtually every day in life.”
The 23-year-old senior became a full-time starter last season for the first time in his career, replacing the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and reigning NFL Rookie of the Year in Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Nussmeier had big shoes to fill, and while he didn’t come close to the production Daniels delivered in 2023, he acquitted himself well.
Posting a 9-4 record as the starter, Nussmeier completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,043 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while also rushing for three scores.
Although the Tigers fell short of the College Football Playoff, they are viewed as a strong contender to reach the CFP and possibly even vie for an SEC title in 2025.
In the preseason coaches’ poll, LSU is ranked No. 9 overall and fourth among SEC teams behind Texas (No. 1), Georgia (No. 4) and Alabama (No. 8).
The start of the season could say a lot about where the Tigers stand among the elite teams in college football.
In Week 1 on Aug. 30, LSU will go on the road to face a Clemson team that is ranked sixth in the coaches’ poll.
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