Garrett Nussmeier, Whit Weeks injury updates: Brian Kelly reveals status of LSU stars

After LSU’s final practice before a Saturday scrimmage, Brian Kelly said both Garrett Nussmeier and Whit Weeks will be on the field. The two are both dealing with injuries.

Kelly said Weeks will not log a full week of practice until game week arrives as he works his way back from offseason surgery, and Friday was a scheduled off day. Nussmeier, meanwhile, is dealing with tendinitis in his knee.

Both players were expected to be on the field Saturday, Kelly told reporters. The staff’s main focus is on managing workload as they get back to full strength.

“Just managing load,” Kelly said Friday. “Whit, we’re not going to have him practice five days in a row until we get into game week. Today was his day off. He’ll be back out there tomorrow, he’ll scrimmage tomorrow.

“Nuss is much more about managing his throws. He hit a number of throws where we give him some time to back off a little bit. He’ll be back out tomorrow, full go, scrimmaging tomorrow. Again, it’s just maintenance on some of these guys with workload.”

Garrett Nussmeier is preparing for his second season as LSU’s starting quarterback after opting not to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. He put together a huge first year as the Tigers’ QB1, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.

Nussmeier took a redshirt as a freshman in 2021 before sitting behind Jayden Daniels for two years from 2022-23. The transfer portal loomed as an option for him, but Nussmeier ultimately chose to stay and await his turn as the starter.

As for Weeks, he was in the midst of a monster 2024 season at the time of his injury. He totaled an SEC-high 61 solo tackles as he totaled 125 tackles, 10 TFLs and 3.5 sacks as a sophomore. The expectation is he will once again lead the LSU defense in 2025, and he said at SEC Media Days last month his recovery is going well.

“It was a long road to get back but I’m feeling better than I ever have,” Weeks said. “I credit that to the training staff and the strength coaches. They spent a lot of time on me this offseason getting my body right and getting my ankle healthy.”

LSU is preparing to start the 2025 season in a big way with a marquee Week 1 matchup. The Tigers will take on Clemson Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.