LSU WR Winnie Watkins Jr. Has Played With Bumb Thumb Since Kentucky Game, But Still Catching Passes

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor

LSU wide receiver Winnie Watkins Jr. continues to lead the team with 37 receptions, but he has been playing the last three games with a torn ligament in his right thumb suffered at Kentucky on Oct. 10.

It has not hurt his production signficantly on the surface. He caught six passes for 62 yards in the loss at Kentucky and caught four for 31 yards and four for 40 in the Tigers’ last two games – wins over Mississippi State and Auburn. Before the injury, the sophomore transfer from Ole Miss had only three catches for 54 yards in the loss at Ole Miss. He has 487 receiving yards for second on the team behind wide receiver Jackson Harris’ 634 yards on 36 catches with seven touchdowns.

Harris has become quarterback Sam Leavitt’s top target with Watkins ailing and with tight end Trey’Dez Green injuring his knee at Ole Miss on Sept. 19 and only returning in LSU’s last game against Auburn.

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The Watkins injury has been known about since the Kentucky game as it was discussed on the LSU Radio Network’s broadcast of the game. But there has not been much reporting on it as Watkins never missed any time and never appeared on the SEC’s availability reports as he was always available.

Winston Watkins is dealing with a right thumb injury, per the broadcast. #LSU

— Koki Riley (@KokiRiley) October 11, 2026

Watkins spoke about the injury for the first time on Matt Moscona’s “After Further Review” show on 104.5 FM radio this week. He has not been made available during LSU’s player interviews on Tuesdays.

“When I was catching the ball, I think the DB (defensive back) was trying to go for the ball,” Watkins said, explaining how the injury happened. “But he missed the ball and ripped at my thumb. It went back, and when it went back, I felt a sensation like a burning.”

With the open weekend last week, Watkins’ thumb could be feeling better when the No. 15 Tigers (6-2, 3-2 SEC) host No. 9 Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC).

“It should be back to all the way healthy in a couple of weeks,” Watkins said. “I’m still good to play. It doesn’t affect me at all.”