LSU Had Permission for Two Former NFL Stars and Still Said No. The SEC Showed Them Who’s Boss.

Well, this is wild. LSU actually chose *not* to add former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to their roster, even with an injunction giving them the green light before Saturday’s season opener against Clemson. Talk about a surprise move right before kickoff.

The Green Light Was On, Then Off. What Happened?

Seriously, LSU had the chance. An injunction was in place, allowing them to bring Wright and Harris onto the squad. Pete Thamel of ESPN dropped the news that despite this, the team opted against it before the Friday night deadline. Their roster already sits at 103 players, leaving two perfectly open spots for these guys. It’s a head-scratcher, especially knowing that Thamel also reported the door isn’t totally shut, and they *could* still be added later in the season. Why wait, though? What’s the hold-up when you’ve got the immediate need and the legal backing?

The SEC Just Flexed, and LSU Blinked

This isn’t just some casual decision. The move screams that LSU really took a hard look at the pros and cons of bringing in Wright and Harris. Turns out, the “cost” was a massive factor, driven by an “intense reaction by the SEC.” We’re talking about the “potential for long-term issues with the conference and its other members.” Yikes. LSU president Wade Rousse’s Friday statement hinted at this outcome, and it seems he understood the gravity. While Coach Lane Kiffin might’ve wanted to go full “damn the torpedoes,” Rousse apparently realized this whole situation could “sink the school’s future in the SEC.” Was it worth risking everything? LSU clearly decided, “for now,” it absolutely was not.

So, LSU heads into that Clemson game without Wright and Harris on the field, at least for today. But the real story brewing here is the message the SEC just sent to LSU, loud and clear. It’s gonna be fascinating to see how this plays out for them as the season progresses.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.