Austin Simmons injury update: Pete Thamel 'expects' Trinidad Chambliss will start against Tulane

ESPN’s Pete Thamel provided an update on the Ole Miss quarterback situation. With Austin Simmons dealing with an injury, he’s expecting Trinidad Chambliss to start against Tulane.

“Austin Simmons—there was some early Lane Kiffin misdirection this week, with Lane saying Simmons was ready to start. In reality, he barely practiced. We’re expecting to see Trinidad Chambliss start for the second straight game,” Thamel reported.

“The Tulane staff has been preparing most of the week with Chambliss in mind. They’re very different players—Chambliss is more of a runner than a passer—so Tulane wasn’t fooled by the Kiffin misdirection.”

Simmons, who opened the season as the Rebels’ starter, continues to be plagued by an injured ankle. Chambliss was 21-of-29 passing for 353 yards and a touchdown last week in the win over Arkansas. Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State, also rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Given this is not an SEC game, no official injury report was released by Ole Miss. Simmons did not appear on last week’s injury report despite his ailment and wound up still getting into the game. He threw one pass, completing it for a touchdown, before Chambliss took back over.

After the game, head coach Lane Kiffin revealed Simmons re-aggravated the injury. He then made the decision to roll with Chambliss the rest of the way. Kiffin appears to have the same plan to start the game against Tulane.

“Austin came in and made a huge touchdown throw,” Kiffin said in his press conference. “Unfortunately, I think Austin hurt himself on that drive, but I am really proud of Austin for going out there and making a big play in the situation.

“We had to check to a run on a play, and he made the big first down, and I think he re-aggravated it. So Austin’s going to be a great player, and he has done great things for us. I just had to make a decision today to go with Trinidad. I guess, luckily, it worked. It’s easier to answer the question when it worked.”

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Moreover, Kiffin praised Chambliss after last week’s game. In particular, he compared him to Blake Sims, a quarterback he knows well from his time at Alabama, and Russell Wilson, who has had an excellent career in the NFL. That’s both for how they play the game and the size they’re playing at.

“Yeah, they just said that on the radio,” Lane Kiffin said. “There’s a lot, same jersey number. There’s a lot of Blake Simms in there. The quick feet, similar body structure and size, and the ability to release the ball really well for not a really tall guy and find windows. So, yeah, there’s a lot of Blake Simms in there.

“I’m not saying he’s Russell Wilson, don’t get me wrong, but there’s some similarities in that kind of in the it factor and how he moves and holds himself, you know, that I’ve kind of said that since he’s gotten here.”

— On3’s Dan Morrison and Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.