INJURIES REMAIN THE BIGGEST FACTOR FOR LSU'S SUCCESS IN 2026

SUBSCRIBE HERE TO SUPPORT LSUODYSSEY's MISSION IN PROVIDING TRAILBLAZING, CONSISTENT TIGERS COVERAGE

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

        After news of some offseason repair surgeries for key starters Sam Leavitt and Whit Weeks, it rang home the slightly worrying fact that some of LSU's best players are still recovering from past injuries, and will be rusty or just beginning to break off the rust at the outset of Fall Camp.

While both Leavitt & Weeks participated during Spring in limited fashion until their operations, it still reminds everyone of what these two young men are battling physically to get back on the field, their definitive importance on either side of the ball, as well as the saddest part of football: injuries.

      LSU already lost 2025 starting defensive end Gabe Reliford to a 2nd straight long term injury, breaking his arm last fall before tearing his ACL on the 3rd day of Spring Camp....yet, even more injuries are beginning to creep to the surface:

      Exploding up the depth chart with a downhome asskicking of a Spring showing, DT Rich Anderson wasn't able to take part in one of the Spring weekend scrimmages, backing up Head Coach Lane Kiffin's own media report that Anderson practiced through an injury the day before.

      I have limited information on his injury (which makes me feel it's nothing too serious), but we don't want to see such a powerful specimen sidelined just as a key developmental period is starting to flourish.

      Cornerback Aidan Anding wasn't as high on the depth chart, but his 2 interceptions were impressive during one of the Spring scrimmages,balthough shortly after snagging his 2nd pick, he tore his achilles, an injury that ended up with Anding sidelined clear until next season.

Starting safety Tamarcus Cooley also picked up a small problem near the backend of Spring Camp, and though I won't share the location of his injury for his own safety and success on the field, it's a wild card injury that can either turn into something serious if not properly healed. Luckily, Cooley's been able to rest his injury during and after Spring, even into the summer, and should absolutely be at 100% to start Fall Camp, as well as taking part in summer workouts.

      Sickeningly, injuries will happen, but you don't want to see a mostly healthy team start to pile up absences in addition to physically debilitating problems heading into a murderer's row schedule....Key injuries have decimated LSU seasons of the recent past, specifically 2024 & 2025, and Kiffin's staff must do everything possible to avoid a repeat injury crisis.

Since 2020 (counting 2 from Spring 2026), LSU rosters have suffered 31 season-ending injuries (counting players who missed more than 7 games from injury), including multiple starting quarterbacks missing 3 full years, 4 different Tigers who went absent for 2 or more seasons due to massive injuries over that span, and a season average of 5.1 each campaign.

In 2026, adapting a new fast paced offensive philosophy, alongside Blake Baker's always aggressive, always fast & furious defensive pulse, injuries & health will most likely decide LSU's first season under Lane Kiffin...and it doesn't get any more vital than Leavitt and Weeks:

It all begins and ends with Sam Leavitt & Whit Weeks, LSU's two most important players on either side of the ball; Their health & availability will not only provide a boost to their coaches & teammates, it won't just excite the fans, the pair's starting involvement immediately improves both offense & defense, raising the level of their teammates, while expanding the playbook & the possibilities....

However, despite LSU's upgraded depth, any injury across the field could be extremely problematic....with cornerback, defensive tackle, edge rusher, and offensive line remaining the thinnest spots on the field.

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

Copyright 2026 Uninterrupted Writings Inc