Oxford, Miss. – The atmosphere around the upcoming SEC matchup between the LSU Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels grew tense Wednesday night when the conference’s official injury report listed quarterback Sam Leavitt as “doubtful.” The designation signals that Leavitt is unlikely to play on Saturday due to significant concerns about his health.
Injury details and recent performance
Leavitt threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns in LSU’s recent win over Louisiana Tech, though he also recorded three interceptions. Sources close to the program told OutKick that an upper‑body injury limited his participation in Wednesday’s practice. The exact nature of the injury was not disclosed, and head coach Lane Kiffin did not address it during his Monday press conference.
What “doubtful” means
According to the SEC handbook, a “doubtful” status means a player is “unlikely to play due to significant concerns.” By contrast, a “questionable” designation would indicate uncertainty about a player’s ability to suit up. LSU’s placement of Leavitt near the bottom of the status list suggests the coaching staff is concerned about his readiness for the game.
Impact on the game
The Tigers will travel to Oxford on Friday for their final preparations. If Leavitt is unable to play, LSU will need to rely on its backup quarterbacks, a scenario that could affect the team’s offensive strategy against a strong Ole Miss defense. Ole Miss fans, meanwhile, are eager to see how the Rebels will capitalize on any uncertainty at the Tigers’ helm.
Upcoming updates
The SEC releases three availability reports before a game: an initial report three days prior, a second update on Thursday, and a final report 90 minutes before warm‑ups. LSU and Ole Miss will be fined if they fail to adhere to the reporting protocol. Fans can expect another update on Thursday, with a final confirmation on Friday evening.
Coach Kiffin’s next steps
Lane Kiffin is scheduled to hold a coaches’ meeting Thursday in Baton Rouge before the team departs for Oxford. While he has not commented on Leavitt’s condition, the upcoming meeting will likely address the quarterback situation and outline the game plan.
As the drama builds, LSU supporters remain hopeful that Leavitt will recover in time, while Ole Miss fans anticipate a competitive contest that could have conference championship implications.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
