“I Wouldn’t Play Sam Leavitt, There’s No Reason To” … LSU Sideline Reporter Gordy Rush On Tiger Rag Radio

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is dealing with a hamstring injury, or tweak, that he suffered in the second quarter of the Tigers’ 35-6 win over Texas A&M on Saturday. He returned to play and even run on the hamstring, though he did pass at times on one leg.

It is not a grade three, full hamstring tear, which would mean the end of his season. And it doesn’t appear to be a grade two hamstring strain, which is what Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has that will sideline him for two to three weeks. It appears to be closer to a grade one – least serious hamstring injury.

But LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Monday that he was going to be “extremely careful” with Leavitt during practice this week. And sources tell Tiger Rag that Leavitt has barely practiced for Saturday’s game between No. 11 LSU (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) against 40-plus-point underdog McNeese State (2-3, 1-2 Southland Conference) at 6:45 p.m. on the SEC Network.

Lane Kiffin is “freaked out” by injuries, which may impact his approach Saturday vs. McNeese State.https://t.co/RhcGBltcwA

— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) September 29, 2026

Former LSU football player Gordy Rush (1988-90, defensive back) is vice-president and general manager of Guaranty Media, which runs the LSU sports flagship station WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge, and Rush has long been the sideline reporter for LSU football games. He was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio on Tuesday night and did not mince words about how much Leavitt should play against McNeese on Saturday night.

“I wouldn’t play Sam Leavitt,” Rush said. “There’s no reason to play him in my opinion. I would sit him. I have concerns about it. I don’t know the severity of it. But watching him throw off of one leg (against A&M), it’s severe enough that you should sit him this weekend.”

Leavitt played well while hurt Saturday, partly because the injury forced him to stay in the pocket more. In previous games, he had been scrambling at times too much.

LSU QB Sam Leavitt’s Hamstring Injury In 2nd Quarter Actually Helped Him Play Better – No Joke

“With technology, they can get him healthier quickly, but I think it’s something that’s going to be nagging,” Rush said. “Hopefully, he can get some rest in that open week, too (the week after the Oct. 24 game at Auburn). But it’s something that I think that he should rest.”

More reason for resting against McNeese State is a lot of rain is in the forecast for Saturday night.

“No, I don’t want him on a slippery track at all,” Rush said. “There’s no reason to play him. I think this hamstring is going to be an issue at least unitl you get to the open week. Let’s call it what it is.”

And Rush would like to see more of No. 2 quarterback Landen Clark, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Elon, and No. 3 quarterback Husan Longstreet, a redshirt freshman transfer from USC.

“I want to see more Landen Clark,” he said. “I want to see him throw the football. I want to see Longstreet.”