By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter
Former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looks to be fully recovered from the spinal cyst and painful abdomen strain that plagued his final season as a Tiger in 2025. The 24-year-old gunslinger has been back in action for the Kansas City Chiefs and is flashing his potential during the NFL preseason.
We saw some great reps from our young players in Tampa last night.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 23, 2026
The seventh-round NFL draft pick made his second preseason appearance Saturday night in a 16-15 loss at Tampa Bay, which got three tackles from former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn.
As the second quarterback to take the field behind regular backup Justin Fields, Nussmeier completed 9 of 17 passes for 74 yards. Although it may not have been the most jaw-dropping outing, he had a consistent and productive night.
“It looked like he handled things well,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said during his postgame press conference. “He’s getting more comfortable.”
Nussmeier entered the game in the second quarter and led the Chiefs on a 13-play, 50-yard drive that started from their own 10-yard line and ended in a field goal. The offense did not get the ball back for Nussmeier until the second drive of the third quarter. Kansas City went three and out with two incomplete passes from Nussmeier.
On his final drive, though, Nussmeier directed the Chiefs on a 75-yard drive for their only touchdown of the game as he completed 4 of 5 passes for 29 yards.
“I thought he had some nice throws in there,” Reid said.
Nussmeier threw no touchdowns or interceptions, although he did have one pass picked off that was then called back as an incompletion. His longest completion of the night was a 17-yard connection with second-year receiver Jalen Royals.
In Nussmeier’s preseason debut versus the Rams on Aug. 15 in Kansas City, he completed 13 of 19 for 98 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He apparently has solidified himself as the Chief’s third string quarterback behind Fields and Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City’s final preseason game is Friday against Seattle in Kansas City, and Nussmeier has a chance to take the opening snap for the offense.
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