LSU head coach Brian Kelly is facing some truly nerve-wracking news on the eve of the Tigers’ pivotal clash with South Carolina. The tension is coming straight from the Tigers’ WR room, where Aaron Anderson was questionable all week to suit up due to lingering injuries. That would have left Garrett Nussmeier and the offense scrambling. So far, Anderson has accumulated 23 catches for 305 yards over five games, leading the Tigers in both categories. We have an update on his availability.

“LSU WR Aaron Anderson has been listed as questionable all week ahead of South Carolina,” On3 Pete Nakos posts on X. “Sources have told @On3sports that he’s “50-50″ at best, but pain management will be key. He’s working through an elbow strain along with toe and knee injuries.” Anderson averaged 61.4 receiving yards per game and offered a steady target on third downs. With Anderson sidelined, LSU loses a playmaker who was quietly on pace for an All-SEC caliber year.

Anderson’s injury saga began when he left LSU’s loss to Ole Miss early and never returned. However, Brian Kelly showed a bit of optimism to the LSU fans, saying, “He’s steadily gotten better each week. Today, he was (running) 19.5 miles per hour, so he’s above 85%, which will put him into some practice. So we’ll go again tomorrow.” Kelly even said, “I think modern medicine will get him ready for South Carolina.” But with all this, Friday’s injury report made it crystal clear that Anderson is not completely ready to suit up against the Gamecocks.

This is a major setback for the Tigers, who have not been performing well on offense this season. LSU is averaging just 104.8 rushing yards per game, ranked an ugly No. 121 nationally. Tigers ran for only 57 yards on 22 carries against Ole Miss. That very pattern has left the opponents to rack up 26 tackles for loss so far, leaving LSU No. 91 in that department. On top of that, LSU has only managed 18 plays of 20+ yards all season, good for No. 84 in the country. Now, let’s explore the scoring section.

LSU’s 27.0 points per game is No. 80 in the nation. And that’s only respectable because of a 56-point outburst against overmatched Southeastern Louisiana. But against real rivals, the output plunged to 17, 23, 20, and 19 points. With all these offensive woes already piling up, Anderson’s 50-50 uncertainty leaves more headaches. Even last year, Anderson was a bomb, averaging 68 receiving yards per game. He even led the Tigers to 884 receiving yards. He held the 3rd rank in the SEC by catching 61 passes.

Anderson continued that same momentum this season. For example, in the season opener game against Clemson, he had six receptions for 99 yards.

Brian Kelly’s optimism with Garrett Nussmier

Brian Kelly seems to be in deep trenches with LSU’s injury uncertainties. But his optimism remains unshaken. And this time it’s for his star QB Garrett Nussmeir. Nussmeier’s backdrop against Ole Miss raised serious questions over his health. With just 197 yards, one touchdown, and a pick, “He didn’t look like himself out there,” as per Kelly. The word of a nagging abdominal strain is what seemed to slow him down.

But in a twist you’d only get in college football, Kelly dismissed the worst rumors, clarifying it’s “not a core injury.” He revealed that LSU made last week a recovery stretch for their signal caller. “He’s feeling better and better,” Kelly said. “We didn’t do a lot with him last week. We wanted to use that as a recovery week for him.” Kelly further added, “Obviously, he did a lot with VR, stayed involved in everything that we’re doing, ran game checks, splits checks, things of that nature.”

LSU’s offense lives and dies with his arm, especially with Aaron Anderson likely sidelined. Nussmeier’s run so far with 1159 yards and 7 touchdowns paints a clean picture of him being an asset for the Tigers. There’s precedent to cling to: last year against the Gamecocks, LSU trailed by 17 early before Nussmeier rallied and dropped a dime to Kyren Lacy for the game-winning drive. So for all the pain, Nussmeier’s “Gunslinger” mentality remains LSU’s best weapon.