The injury bug has infected the LSU Tigers’ defense this week. Corey Thompson, a safety turned linebacker reportedly broke his fibula today during a Wednesday morning practice session. Thompson will be out 6-8 weeks. Thompson is the third LSU defender to be injured in as many days. On Monday, starting defensive tackle Christian LaCouture and backup buck linebacker Isaiah Washington suffered season-ending knee injuries.
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So what does this mean for LSU this Season?
First and foremost, these injuries raise serious concerns about depth in the Tiger front seven. This lack of depth will be especially telling against power-running teams like Arkansas and Alabama. The fact that LSU plays both of those teams in November, when the starters will already be worn-down by the previous two months, is also troubling.
Also, the loss of LaCouture is a big blow. The senior had never been a star player, and it is unlikely that he would have developed into one in his final season. However, he was a steady, veteran player who always gave maximum effort on every play. Defensive Coordinator Dave Arranda was planning to move LaCouture around, giving him time at end and tackle in Arranda’s 3-4 defense. LaCouture was apparently embracing the move.
“I actually like it a lot, it gives me a lot more room to move,” LaCouture said Saturday about playing end. “I’m feeling good, running around good. I feel in great shape. I’m prepared. I’m ready for a great season.”
Finally, it means that Travonte Valentine had better be ready to play, and play well. Valentine is a load at 6’3″ 345. He is built like a prototypical nose tackle, which is so vital in the middle of a 3-4 defense. The big man probably won’t be much of a pass rusher, but he will definitely clog the middle in the run game and demand double teams, which will allow his teammates more freedom to rush the passer. That is assuming of course that he is cleared to play, which he still isn’t, and meets expectations.
The road to the playoffs is a long and difficult one. These three injuries did not make it impassable for LSU. But they did make it just a little bit rougher. We will see how they respond in just a few short weeks.