Kewan Lacy, the superstar running back for No. 4 Ole Miss, just got downgraded to doubtful for Saturday afternoon’s massive SEC showdown against the No. 21 Florida Gators. This is a huge gut punch for the Rebels heading into Week 4 of the college football season at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.
The Injury Report Just Got Real
Lacy first injured his shoulder in the team’s Week 3 win over the LSU Tigers. All week long, he was listed as questionable on the SEC availability report. Ole Miss coach Pete Golding even seemed to downplay the severity, making it sound like maybe, just maybe, Lacy would be good to go. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Lacy was actually trending toward being a game-time decision. Then Friday hit, and boom, the official word dropped: doubtful. That’s a massive shift, and it tells you things are more serious than initially hoped.
Golding’s Spin vs. The Reality
Coach Golding has been trying to manage expectations, saying the shoulder “is not as bad as we thought it was.” He even gave us some good news, stating Lacy “doesn’t need surgery,” which is obviously a relief in the long run. But don’t let that completely mask the immediate concern. Golding admitted the shoulder “is still not perfect.” The team has actively kept him out of the contact portions of practice for the last two days, and they’re going to “evaluate pregame.” If your star running back isn’t taking hits in practice and needs a pregame evaluation for a “not perfect” shoulder, that’s not exactly inspiring confidence he’ll be out there. If Lacy can’t suit up, get ready to see JT Lindsay step into an increased role. He’s got some huge cleats to fill.
Lacy’s Impact: Why This Sucks So Much
This isn’t just any player missing a game, this is a legitimate game-changer. Through the first three games this season, Lacy has already racked up 191 rushing yards and fourth downs on 39 carries. Yeah, you read that right, “fourth downs” , his impact is undeniable. Last season, after transferring to the Rebels from Missouri, Lacy had an absolutely breakout year, tearing it up for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns as Ole Miss made it all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals. His production is simply irreplaceable.
All eyes will be on Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC as we wait to see if Lacy somehow defies the odds. Without him, a huge chunk of the Rebels’ offense is gone, and this No. 4 squad is facing their toughest test yet against Florida.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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