Michael Van Buren injury update: Brian Kelly shares severity of finger issue

The LSU Tigers are going into the 2025 season confident in their quarterback room. Set to start is Garrett Nussmeier, a veteran who is in line to be a Heisman candidate and a potential first round NFL Draft pick. Even behind him, though, the Tigers have a quarterback with SEC experience in Michael Van Buren.

It looked like that depth may have taken a hit in Fall Camp briefly when Van Buren was apparently injured with a finger issue on his throwing hand. Luckily, however, head coach Brian Kelly was able to deliver some good news. It was just a jam and a scare. All the testing came back negative, and he should be out on the field again soon.

“He got the index finger jammed on his right hand,” Brian Kelly said. “He’ll be throwing tomorrow. Yeah, we had an X-ray, MRI. No damage. He was just sore. So, we shut him down a little bit, but he’ll be back. He did light throwing. He’ll do a throwing program in the afternoon today. Then, we’ll have him back out tomorrow.”

Michael Van Buren began his college career as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024. He was the 385th-ranked prospect and the 24th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle. A Maryland native, he’d initially go to Mississippi State.

While at Mississippi State, Michael Van Buren would initially be the backup quarterback, but was forced into action as a true freshman. There, he’d complete 54.7 percent of his passes and throw for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 10 games. He also rushed for five touchdowns, but at the end of the season, chose to transfer out of the program. That’s how he landed at LSU under Brian Kelly, where there is hope he can develop into a potential starter of the future in Baton Rouge.

Jeff Lebby gives honest thoughts on Michael Van Buren’s transfer to LSU

It’s never easy to lose promising players to a conference rival. This summer, Jeff Lebby shared some thoughts on Michael Van Buren and his move to LSU.

“Mike is a talented young man,” Lebby said at SEC Media Days. “A talented young man that has the ability to be a good player as he continues to grow with the position.”

Despite the move, LSU and Mississippi State won’t meet on the field this season. That means, unless they meet in the SEC Championship Game, there’s not a chance for Michael Van Buren to end up playing against his former team.