LSU Football Blockbuster Bad News: Quarterback Sam Leavitt “Doubtful” For Ole Miss In SEC Availability Report

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor

Three nights before one of the biggest games in the LSU-Ole Miss football rivalry, and LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful with an unspecified injury in coach Lane Kiffin’s availability report to the Southeastern Conference office on Wednesday.

Leavitt, a redshirt junior transfer from Arizona State who started LSU’s first two games this season, was scheduled for player interviews on Tuesday at LSU, but was not there. No reason was given then by LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette, who had no comment on Wednesday.

No. 7 LSU (2-0) plays at No. 8 Ole Miss (2-0) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC in Oxford, Mississippi, in the biggest game of the college football season so far that has been hotly anticipated ever since Kiffin left Ole Miss’ head coaching job after the regular season last year to become LSU’s coach. ESPN’s College GameDay is broadcasting live from Oxford on Saturday morning, leading into the SEC opener for both teams.

Before SEC games, coaches from each team release an availability report based on injuries, but not including the injury, to the conference office on Wednesdays with updates on Thursdays and Fridays. What Leavitt’s injury is has not been confirmed. But Pete Nakos of On3.com reported that Leavitt has a “sore throwing shoulder” and has been “limited in practice.”

If that is true, rest conceivably could have Leavitt ready by game time. Kiffin may address Leavitt’s injury before or during his weekly coach’s show on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., but he usually does not speak of injuries during the season.

NEW: LSU QB Sam Leavitt is dealing with a sore throwing shoulder and has been limited in practice, @PeteNakos reports. https://t.co/zAFk7kTJ9X https://t.co/nJ9DmYikZC pic.twitter.com/s0GX8pdlA5

— On3 (@On3) September 17, 2026

And Kiffin has been known to stretch things on availability reports. In 2024 before the Ole Miss-Georgia game, Kiffin listed 26 injured players.

Could this be Kiffin matching the gamesmanship of Ole Miss having LSU edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen served with court papers Tuesday outside LSU’s football facility, concerning Ole Miss’ ongoing breach of contract lawsuit of July 27 against Umanmielen?

“This is absolutely psychological warfare,” LSU adjunct professor Franz Borghardt says of Ole Miss legal squad. https://t.co/Vamhz3clWo

— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) September 16, 2026

A fifth-year senior, Umanmielen was one of Ole Miss’ top players last season before transferring to join Kiffin and the Tigers

This grudge game is the first top 10 pairing by Associated Press rankings in the LSU-Ole Miss series since 1962.

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Leavitt did not appear injured through any part of the Tigers’ 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown after throwing three interceptions in the second quarter. Leavitt also rushed 11 times for 22 yards and three touchdowns. In the opener against No. 23 Clemson on Sept. 5, Leavitt rushed 12 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of 28 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown with an interception in a 51-10 win.

The SEC named Leavitt the offensive player of the week after the Clemson game.

Leavitt missed most of LSU’s spring practices last March and April as he recovered from surgery on his right foot from an injury suffered last season at Arizona State. He showed no signs of any issues with his foot through two games this season.

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Starting linebacker TJ Dottery, a transfer from Ole Miss, was listed as questionable with an injury in the same SEC availability report. Dottery led LSU with nine tackles in the win over Tech on Saturday and forced two fumbles with a quarterback hurry. He also showed no signs of an injury in that game.

Also questionable is backup linebacker Tylen Singleton. Listed as probable are starting tight end Trey’Dez Green, starting linebacker Whit Weeks, starting right guard Aliou Bah and backup linebacker Davhon Keys. Backup wide receiver Phillip Wright III is listed as “out” for the game.