Sports
LSU safety Jalen Mills may miss season opener
Jalen Mills (AP)
Jalen Mills (AP)
The LSU defense will likely start the season without its most experienced member.
Conflicting reports have senior safety Jalen Mills suffering a leg or ankle injury Wednesday morning that may sideline him for a minimum of the first two games of the season, according to The Advocate's Ross Delenger. Another report from Nola.com's James Smith indicated Mills would miss 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula. Neither has been confirmed by LSU.
This would be a tremendous loss for the Tigers because Mills has started every game of his three-year career. Mills is one of LSU’s most versatile players on defense, as evidenced by his successful transition from cornerback to safety in his sophomore season.
LSU won’t have a problem beating McNeese State in week 1, but the following week LSU plays Mississippi State on the road before Auburn comes to Death Valley.
Junior Rickey Jefferson will likely replace Mills but he does not have the same experience as Mills at a crucial position on the field.
The loss of Mills could force less experienced players into action, which may cost LSU in a close game early on. As we saw last season one game could make the difference between making the College Football Playoff or heading to a lesser bowl game.
