Luke Work, Jett Jefferson injury updates: Mississippi State starters out vs. Southern Miss

Mississippi State will be down in numbers during Saturday’s season opener against Southern Miss, according to On3’s Chris Low. The news comes just minutes before the Bulldogs take the field.

“Mississippi State will be without two starters in today’s opener against Southern Miss,” Low reports. “Offensive lineman Luke Work and cornerback Jett Jefferson are banged up and won’t be able to play. The Bulldogs’ roster in Jeff Lebby’s second season consists of 80 percent first- or second-year players.”

Jefferson is a JUCO transfer who played the 2023-24 season at East Central CC. He appeared in 11 games where he totaled 40 tackles to go along with a half tackle for loss, four interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Work is more experienced with the Bulldogs. So far in his career, Work has played in 11 career games with seven starts. As a true freshman last season, Work started seven total games, including five games at left tackle. He allowed four sacks and 19 pressures while committing five penalties in 2024.

Now, the Bulldogs will be without both players for the season opener against Southern Miss. This could be a big blow to the Mississippi State effort on Saturday, as both players were penciled in as starters in the team’s depth chart.

After Mississippi State finishes up its Week 1 matchup, the Bulldogs are inside Davis Wade Stadium for the program’s home opener against the Big 12’s only representative in the College Football Playoff last year — Arizona State. The Bulldogs will also face Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida, Texas, Georgia and more down the stretch.

Jeff Lebby optimistic about Mississippi State’s defensive line depth

Mississippi State struggled mightily on its defensive line in 2024. Jeff Lebby and company responded by paying close attention to the position group this offseason.

Not only are the Bulldogs set to return some of its top production in the unit, but they’ve also addressed its depth issues in the NCAA transfer portal. Lebby revealed his level of optimism about the position group heading into 2025.

“We’re in a lot better place than we were,” Lebby told reporters during fall camp. “Again, we’ve got a long way to go but our bodies today, compared to where it’s been with us having the ability two-spot the entire practice. (That’s) completely different and that’s going to help us practice the way we need to practice so we can develop and get get the depth that we need.”