Final status for LSU LB Whit Weeks vs. Vanderbilt

LSU’s star linebacker Whit Weeks is out for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported first.

Weeks went through this week listed as questionable, but was limited in practices and seen in a boot on Thursday before being ruled out. The prior expectation was that Weeks was going to give it a shot in warm ups and Brian Kelly said he was a gametime decision. With the 11 a.m. kickoff, the news came just after 8 a.m. CT and now the Tigers are without one of their best playmakers on the field against a Vanderbilt team that thrives on running the ball and staying ahead of the chains.

The junior linebacker has recorded 12 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in six games this season. He was ejected from LSU‘s SEC opener against Florida due to targeting on Sept. 13 and missed the first half of their game against Southeast Louisiana the following week.

Weeks is no stranger to injury problems, as he suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured tibia in LSU‘s 44-31 win over Baylor in the 2024 Texas Bowl. This effectively ended his season after he was carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg. Prior to the injury, he recorded six tackles in the game.

Weeks underwent surgery back in early January to deal with the injury. Seven months later, he gave an update on his injury and recovery at SEC Media Days in August.

“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.”

He has certainly looked the part this season for an LSU team that has opened the season with a 5-1 (1-1) record. His presence would be massive for this weekend’s clash against No. 17 Vanderbilt, a game in which the Commodores are favored.

Two more injuries to know

Other injuries to watch include defensive end Jimari Butler and defensive tackle Bernard Gooden. Gooden has been ruled out.

Butler, a backup defensive end for the Tigers, remains questionable to play vs. the Commodores. With fellow backup defensive end Gabriel Reliford out for the season, the starters will likely remain Patrick Payton and Jack Pyburn, while sophomore Dylan Carpenter would see an uptick in his 44 snaps played this season if Butler is sidelined on Saturday.

Gooden, who suffered a bruised collarbone in this past weekend’s win over South Carolina, was listed by Kelly as doubtful to suit up on Saturday in Nashville. Expectations are Dominick McKinley would remain the starter at one defensive tackle spot, while sophomore Ahmad Breaux and freshman Buddy Mathis would see their snaps increase alongside veteran nose tackle Jacobian Guillory if Gooden doesn’t play for the Tigers this weekend.