LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful on Wednesday night ahead of the Tigers’ game against Ole Miss. The team’s initial SEC availability report included Leavitt among the players who were doubtful, but his status was later upgraded to questionable on Thursday. Leavitt had started both of LSU’s first two games under head coach Lane Kiffin, who previously coached Ole Miss before joining the Tigers. CBS Sports reported that Leavitt was dealing with an upper-body injury and did not throw during Wednesday’s practice. He participated in LSU’s Thursday walkthrough before his status was upgraded.
The matchup between No. 7 LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, and will be televised by ABC.
Linebackers TJ Dottery and Tylen Singleton were also listed as questionable, while tight end Trey’Dez Green was among the players listed as probable. LSU also listed wide receiver Phillip Wright III, linebacker Jaiden Bracker and running back Raycine Guillory Jr. as out on its Wednesday report.
In his first two appearances for LSU, Leavitt completed 41 of 66 passes for 574 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 135 yards and five touchdowns. Leavitt threw three interceptions in LSU’s 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech but finished the game with four total touchdowns.
If Leavitt is unable to play, sophomore Landen Clark appears to be LSU’s primary backup quarterback. Clark transferred to LSU from Elon after earning 2025 CAA Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He has been the first quarterback off the bench in LSU’s first two games. Husan Longstreet, a transfer from USC, is another option on the roster.
Coach Lane Kiffin did not mention Leavitt’s health during his Monday news conference. The injury was not obvious during LSU’s victory over Louisiana Tech and became public when the SEC availability report was released.
SEC teams face penalties ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for late, inaccurate or otherwise noncompliant football availability reports. Teams must issue reports beginning Wednesday before conference games and update them daily. A final report is required 90 minutes before kickoff.
The game between LSU and Ole Miss will be played Saturday, Sept. 19, with both teams ranked in the top 10. Sam Leavitt’s injury status remains a major question in how LSU approaches the SEC matchup.
LSU enters the game 2-0 after victories over Clemson and Louisiana Tech. Ole Miss will provide the Tigers with their first SEC test of the season.
IMAGE: LSU Tigers Tammy Anthony Baker CC2