Following a narrow season-opening loss to the USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the LSU Tigers faced further setback when it was announced that running back John Emery Jr. is expected to miss the rest of the 2024 college football season due to a torn ACL he sustained during practice on Monday.
Wilson Alexander of NOLA.com first reported the news, which was later confirmed by Shea Dixon of The Bengal Tiger. This injury is particularly hard-hitting as Emery Jr., a former five-star recruit, had returned to LSU for a sixth season after recovering from a torn ACL sustained in 2023. He had also shown promise in Sunday’s 27-20 loss to USC, leading the team with 61 yards on 10 carries.
Emery Jr. accumulated 1,123 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns from 2019 to 2024 at LSU, along with 37 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. His absence leaves the Tigers with only three scholarship running backs, as Trey Holly remains suspended indefinitely.
Consequently, graduate senior Josh Williams and sophomore Kaleb Jackson are expected to share the workload in the backfield, with freshman Caden Durham also likely to see action. The No. 18-ranked Tigers will aim for their first win of the 2024 season when they host the Nicholls State Colonels, an FCS team, at Tigers Stadium on September 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and SEC+.
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