LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt popped up on the injury report Wednesday night listed as “doubtful” with a right shoulder injury, and if you’re like me, your antennae went straight up. This isn’t just any game, it’s Ole Miss week, and the coach throwing out this report is none other than Lane Kiffin. You can’t blame anyone for wondering what in the heck is actually going on here. There had been no prior indication of a shoulder injury for Leavitt, a senior transfer, although reports later Wednesday did say he was limited in practice.
Kiffin’s Antics Put Leavitt’s Injury Under a Microscope
Could Leavitt be legitimately injured? Absolutely. This is football, a brutal game, and players often push through injuries that only reveal their true severity once the adrenaline wears off. But when it comes to Lane Kiffin, especially against his former team Ole Miss, skepticism is running wild. ESPN even reported Thursday that Ole Miss’ coaching staff had their own doubts about Leavitt’s “doubtful” status. They fully expect him to play on Saturday. Kiffin has cemented his status as college football’s main antagonist, and the messy way he left Ole Miss at the end of last season just fuels the fire. Most folks outside of Baton Rouge aren’t going to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one, if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s totally plausible he’s trying some serious gamesmanship.
The SEC’s Rules Are No Joke, And Kiffin Knows It
If Kiffin is indeed playing games, the upside is super limited, and the downside is very real for LSU. The SEC rolled out clear rules for injury reports in all conference games starting in 2024. If a player is listed as “doubtful,” like Leavitt is, that means he’s got only a 25% chance of taking the field. Sure, things can change before game day, but the SEC’s rules also include a critical subsection: the “Duty to Act in Good Faith.” This rule bans gamesmanship aimed at hiding a player’s true participation status for strategic reasons. It also prohibits any conduct that could be seen as misleading or confusing, especially for “high-profile” players like a starting quarterback. The league has made it clear it can investigate any breaches by interviewing personnel and reviewing practice film, and institutions *must* cooperate. Failure to provide accurate and timely information means accountability measures, including private or public reprimands, fines, and other penalties for the offending institution and, if appropriate, the head coach.
So, all eyes will be on Saturday to see if Sam Leavitt actually suits up for LSU. But win or lose, Lane Kiffin’s latest move has put him squarely in the SEC’s crosshairs, and this “Duty to Act in Good Faith” rule could have some serious consequences for him and the Tigers.
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.
Leave a Reply