LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier gave fans a brief scare this week after tweaking his knee during practice, but head coach Brian Kelly says there’s no reason for alarm.
Kelly revealed Friday that Nussmeier aggravated chronic patellar tendinitis, an issue he has managed for some time, during Wednesday’s workout. The incident wasn’t a new injury or structural damage, just what Kelly described as “probably planting the wrong way.” Kelly emphasized that the training staff quickly evaluated him and determined there was no swelling or ligament damage, allowing him to return to light drills shortly afterward.
Good news for Tigers instead
The Tigers’ offensive leader won’t miss significant time, and Kelly rated the severity a mere 1.5 out of 10. He even admitted he wasn’t sure whether it was the right or left knee, stressing that tendinitis is something “guys deal with virtually every day in life.” The team plans to manage his workload in upcoming practices to ensure he’s at full strength for Week 1.
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Nussmeier is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign where he ranked fifth in the nation with 4,052 passing yards. His performance has already positioned him as a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With LSU opening the season on August 30 against Clemson, all signs point to Nussmeier being ready to lead the offense without restriction when the Tigers take the field. The matchup is expected to be one of the most watched opening-week games in college football.
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