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Austin Simmons injury update: “Continuing to get closer to 100 percent,” according to Lane Kiffin

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett10/06/25SpiritBen
NCAA Football: Georgia St. at Mississippi
Aug 30, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons (13) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Trinidad Chambliss is Ole Miss football’s starting quarterback until further notice. 

Lane Kiffin confirmed as much in starting Chambliss against LSU. The sixth-year Ole Miss head coach said following the 24-19 win over the rival Tigers Simmons was healthy enough to play.

But he wasn’t 100 percent. He’s still not 100 percent, even after a bye week. 

“He is [closer to getting back on the field],” Kiffin said Monday in his weekly press conference. “Continuing to get closer to 100 percent. He’s not there yet. This week for him was good. We’ll see tomorrow.”

No. 4 Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0 SEC) hosts Washington State (3-2) on Saturday. Kickoff is 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network.

Chambliss, a post-spring transfer addition, is 3-0 as the Rebels’ starting quarterback. He’s thrown for 300 yards or more in each of the three games. Chambliss ranks first in the SEC in passing yards per completion, averaging 15.89 yards through the air. 

Chambliss is a former 0-star recruit and came to Ole Miss from Division ll Ferris State. 

He’s established himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender during his run as the starter. Chambliss this week was No. 3 in On3’s Heisman poll.

“The Trinidad thing is a great story for all players at Division II, Division III, lower high schools, that feel like they’re not going to get looked at,” Kiffin said. “Just keep preparing and playing really hard. You never know what’s going to happen.”

RELATED: Ole Miss is still living on island time with Austin Simmons still not ‘100 percent’

Austin Simmons opened the 2025-26 campaign as the starter. 

However, an ankle injury suffered against Kentucky opened the door for Chambliss. He’s capitalized on the opportunity, beginning with Arkansas.

Chambliss has accounted for 1,299 total yards (1,033 passing, 266 rushing) and seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing). He’s 65 for 101 (64.4 percent) for 1,033 yards, five touchdowns and one interception on the year. He’s also carried the ball 50 times for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Chambliss, a Maxwell Award midseason watch list addition, is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He threw for 314 yards and rushed for 71 more against LSU. The AP named Chambliss National Player of the Week.

Ole Miss is No. 3 in the SEC in total offense and passing offense. The Rebels are No 4 in both rushing and scoring offense.

“A lot as far as down the road,” Kiffin said of Simmons starting again. “He’s not back to 100 percent. We’ll continue to evaluate that and look at everything. We’re in a great place. I mean, we have two great quarterbacks. We have two quarterbacks that are better than a lot of people’s No. 1. It’s awesome to be in this position.”

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