LSU running back John Emery Jr. will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the team announced Wednesday. It’s a major loss that will put even more pressure on a Tigers rushing attack that struggled to consistently generate positive plays in Week 1 against USC.
According to ESPN, the ligament tear occurred on Emery’s left knee. The LSU running back spent much of the offseason recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee suffered during the 2023 season. He was on track to play a major role in the Tigers’ offense this season after withdrawing his name from the transfer portal to return for a sixth season with the program.
Senior Josh Williams and freshman Kaleb Jackson should now be in line for more touches after combining for 47 yards on 14 carries in LSU’s 27-20 Week 1 loss to USC.
In fact, Williams and Jackson each got touches on the Tigers’ first series in their loss to the Trojans, while Emery’s first carry didn’t come until midway through the second quarter. However, the Tigers turned to the veteran in the second half, and Emery provided a spark with a 39-yard scamper that highlighted LSU’s longest touchdown drive of the game. Emery finished with 61 yards on 10 carries and one reception for 10 yards.
A year ago, the Tigers relied on Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels to lead their ground attack as he finished with 1,134 yards rushing. Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs also provided a jolt in the traditional run game with 653 yards on 119 carries.
With Daniels off the to the NFL and Diggs gone to Ole Miss, the Tigers convinced Emery to withdraw from the portal in June and return for a sixth season with the program. But now that he’s injured again, it will put more pressure on Jackson and Williams.
Running woes
Though…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/john-emery-jr-injury-with-lsus-top-rb-out-an-otherwise-listless-ground-attack-now-pressured-for-answers/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2024-09-04 20:02:25
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