LSU running back John Emery is reportedly lost for the season

LSU’s running back John Emery Jr. suffered a torn ACL in practice earlier this week. This is the second knee injury for Emery in as many years. Emery tore his right ACL last November in the game against Florida and had to miss the rest of last season too.

Before practice on Tuesday, and as reported by NOLA.com, Brian Kelly said of Emery, “he’s only going to get better coming off that knee surgery. I know he's a big back and we see him as this battering ram kind of guy, but John's got really good vision…and the thing that he needs to continue to develop is the strength in the lower body. He gets fatigued easily. And as he continues to get back from that knee, he’s going to be able to take multiple carries.”

Emery was a standout performer in an otherwise frustrating season opener. He rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries in the game, despite the loss against USC. His future with LSU is now uncertain, and the team will need to explore other options for the running game.

Expect Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson to see more carries while Brian Kelly and staff determine a plan moving forward.

LSU returns to action against Nicholls State on Saturday night.