Issa Ouattara injury update: Clark Lea updates timeline for return

Vanderbilt defensive lineman Issa Ouattara is still trying to shake off an undisclosed injury. Ouattara made his season debut in Week 2 against Virginia Tech but suffered a setback that caused him to miss this past week’s victory against South Carolina.

During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Commodores coach Clark Lea addressed where Ouattara is at heading into a Week 4 matchup against Georgia State. He seemed to suggest there was a possibility the defensive lineman could return, but that wouldn’t be determined until later in the week.

“Issa is still trying to recover,” Lea said. “He didn’t feel well enough to play on Saturday. We’re gonna give him that chance as the week goes. Just see how he responds to his treatment and his strengthening. His injury is not yet surgical, so we’ll see if he’s able to get out there at all this week. But we need to give it time, too. I want Issa to feel confident when he takes the field that he’s healthy and ready to play. Until he gets to that point, I think it’s unfair to put him out there.”

A 6-foot-7 senior from Germany, Ouattara is a key piece of Vanderbilt’s defensive line with 17 starts across his career. He recorded a career-best 31 tackles along with two sacks, two passes defended and a fumble recovery.

So far this season, Ouattara has recorded only one tackle in the one game he has played. The Commodores will certainly want him back as soon as possible, but won’t rush things especially for a game in which they enter as 26.5-point favorites against Georgia State according to Bet MGM.

With its win Saturday, Vanderbilt is off to a 3-0 start on the young season. The Commodores moved into the AP Poll at No. 20 this week, marking the second straight year they have cracked the top 25.

Lea added that there are no other significant injuries to report heading into the week other than that to Issa Ouattara. That in mind, the Commodores look in good shape to pick up their fourth win of the season when the contest against Georgia State kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Ouattara’s status will be worth monitoring heading into that matchup as he will hopefully be able to go. If he isn’t, his next opportunity will come when Vanderbilt takes on Utah State in Week 5.