LSU Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful on the SEC availability report on Wednesday night, turning a major SEC matchup into a late-week quarterback watch.
The Tigers are scheduled to face Ole Miss on Saturday, and the first availability report of the week has already put Leavitt’s status at the centre of the build-up. He was also limited in Wednesday’s practice because of an upper-body injury, which explains why his availability has become such a focus so close to kickoff.
Why the doubtful tag matters
The SEC began issuing availability reports several years ago, with the initial update arriving three days before a team is set to play. That means Wednesday night’s designation is only the first step in a process that should give a clearer picture as the week moves on.
Leavitt’s latest game gives both sides of the argument in one line. Last week, he threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns against Louisiana Tech, but he also had three interceptions. It was the kind of outing that showed his impact and his risk in equal measure.
For LSU, the concern is not just whether Leavitt can play, but what version of him would be available if he does. An upper-body injury and limited practice work are enough to make any quarterback situation uncertain, especially when the opponent is Ole Miss and the margin for error is thin.
What comes next before Saturday
The next update will come on Thursday, when the SEC issues a second availability report and Lane Kiffin is scheduled to hold his coaches show in Baton Rouge. Another update follows on Friday before the team leaves for the Oxford area.
Then, 90 minutes before warm-ups on Saturday, the SEC requires the final availability report. Until then, LSU and Ole Miss will both be watching the quarterback situation closely, because a doubtful tag on Wednesday night is rarely the end of the story.
