Brian Kelly provides update on Garrett Dellinger's knee injury

The LSU Tigers were steamrolled on Saturday by the Tennessee Volunteers by the score of 40-13. Following the game, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly provided an update on his offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s loss. He spent 10 minutes in the injury tent, before heading to the LSU locker room with the training staff, according to Wilson Alexander of The Advocate.

“Garrett Dellinger took a blow to the knee. It’s a knee strain. We’ll get an MRI. He had a knee brace on but you know, that’s the good news. But, we’ll get an MRI and have more information for you in the next press conference,” Kelly said.

He’s one of the key members of the Tigers’ offensive line and he has battled a number of injuries this season

One of the key figures on the LSU offensive line, Garrett Dellinger, missed the game against Auburn with an injury. He had to have surgery on his hand. Now, he’ll return for the Tigers’ game against Tennessee. Head coach Brian Kelly addressed how he and LSU feel about his return.

Brian Kelly discussed the issue during a press conference. He was asked how Dellinger looked during the week and if he’ll have to wear any special protection on his hand.

“Yeah, he’s got to wear a cast on this surgically repaired fracture, but, surprisingly, he’s done quite well,” Brian Kelly said.

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“I thought there would be some–first of all, there’s no uneasiness from him. He’s attacked it. He’s done very, very well. I mean, we’ve got the ability to do 3D cast renderings of the hand and make it so comfortable for him. And I think that’s really helped him, to find the right cast and the right fit,” Brian Kelly explained.

“So, he’s done quite well this week. We feel comfortable with him in there.”

Garrett Dellinger was named an offensive captain for LSU ahead of the team’s game against Mississippi State. Dellinger is a former four-star recruit from the Class of 2021.

Brian Kelly praised Garrett Dellinger’s versatility

Earlier in the season, head coach Brian Kelly tried to move Garrett Dellinger to center, before moving him back to guard. He did so because of the versatility that Dellinger offers LSU.

“I think first and foremost just his ability to move, he’s got good lateral to move, size. Today you’re getting so much shade on the center, the days of playing a small center are starting to dwindle. You’re getting such big guys on the nose now, especially in third down situations, so he matched the criteria of somebody that can move and he’s 313 pounds,” Kelly said.

“I think the next criteria was his football smarts, he could handle calling out the fronts and picking up the things necessary. I think the best way to look at it is in most sports strength down the middle, the quarterback, the center, the centerfielder, the shortstop, whatever sport you want to play you want your smart athletic guys there, and he’s smart and athletic for his position.”

On3’s Daniel Morrison also contributed to this article.