LSU Loses Star Player To Season-Ending Injury

After suffering a tightly contested season opening loss to the USC Trojans on Sunday from Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, the LSU Tigers were hit with more disparaging news when it was revealed Wednesday that running back John Emery Jr. is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 college football season with a torn ACL suffered in practice on Monday.

Wilson Alexander of NOLA.com was the first to report the news, which Shea Dixon of The Bengal Tiger later confirmed.

The injury to Emery Jr. is even more devastating as the former five-star recruit had returned to Baton Rouge for a sixth season following a torn ACL sustained in 2023. Emery Jr. also was able to spark the run game of the Tigers in Sunday's 27-20 loss to USC by leading the team with 61 yards on 10 carries.

Emery Jr. totaled 1,123 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns from 2019-24 at LSU. He also recorded 37 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

The absence of Emery Jr. leaves the Tigers with three remaining scholarship running backs, as Trey Holly is still suspended indefinitely. With that being the case, graduate senior Josh Williams and sophomore Kaleb Jackson will most likely split the backfield, with freshman Caden Durham mixed in.

The No. 18-ranked Tigers will look to secure their first victory of the 2024 campaign when they host the FCS-level Nicholls State Colonels from Tigers Stadium on Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and SEC+.

Related: College Football Week 2 Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Scoreboard, and Betting Lines 2024