Garrett Nussmeier injury update: Brian Kelly addresses LSU QB's availability vs. Southeastern

Turns out, Garrett Nussmeier has not been completely healthy through three weeks. LSU now goes into a game against Southeastern and many wondered if Brian Kelly might sit his starting quarterback. The answer is no, with Kelly explaining why during a Thursday press conference.

“Because he’s feeling good,” Kelly said via Jacques Doucet of WFAB. “We had to limit a lot of things we did the first three, four weeks, and he’s finally coming to practice feeling good and getting into a good rhythm. This was his best week of practice. So, we want him to go and play the game at a level where he’s comfortable. To hold him back, really, at this point, would not be the right thing for him.

“He’s excited to play because he feels so much better. I don’t want to say he’s back to the Garrett Nussmeier but there were a lot of things that he couldn’t do that he had to adjust to. It’s good that he’s back and doing the things and throwing the football the way he feels and comfortably.”

Kelly revealed the injury Nussmeier is fighting through on Monday, calling it a torso issue. No exact timeline came from Kelly, meaning this issue might span back to before the season-opening win against Clemson. Certainly, the following two games vs. Louisiana Tech and Florida — all of which saw the LSU offense struggle mightily, given the preseason expectations.

Nussmeier is completing about 65% of his throws, going for 689 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. One of those came this past Saturday, being a real head-scratcher of a decision. In a broken-down play, Nussmeier decided to throw across his body, placing the ball right in the hands of a Gators defender.

Not everything can be blamed on the injury. However, based on Kelly’s comments on Thursday, Nussmeier has been limited. Not just in games but in practice as well. Thankfully, positive updates are coming out shortly after the injury went public.

As mentioned, Southeastern is next on the schedule before heading to Oxford to play Ole Miss. The important SEC contests keep popping up for LSU, needing plenty of points to be put on the board.

From there, some rest will be earned. LSU goes into a bye week after facing the Rebels, not playing again until Oct. 11 with South Carolina in Baton Rouge. Hopefully, there is no talk of the injury for Nussmeier by then.