Derrius Guice “very questionable” to play against Syracuse

By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor

The injury news is a mixed bag for LSU this week.

Running back Derrius Guice is “very questionable” to play against Syracuse, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Wednesday. He left LSU’s 37-7 loss to Mississippi State in the second half due to a “minor injury” and hasn’t practiced so far this week.

“I think that Derrius Guice right now is very questionable,” he said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I don’t know if Derrius is going to play. He didn’t press out yesterday in pads. Very questionable right now.”

Guice, a preseason All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate, has rushed for 300 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. He’s played sparingly in the second half of each game, though some of that has been due to game flow and heavy use early.

The tailback told reporters Monday that he’d gone in on Sunday, a day off for the players, to receive treatment. Senior Darrel Williams would likely start if Guice can’t go with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Nick Brossette stepping into larger roles.

Defensive end Rashard Lawrence is on track to return against the Orangemen after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. He’s practiced fully so far this week.

“He’s practiced in pads and he looks like he’ll be able to give us some snaps,” the coach said. “I don’t know how many snaps, but I think he’s going to play.”

LSU desperately needs Lawrence back to help anchor a banged up, shorthanded defensive line.

Orgeron announced Monday that nose tackle Ed Alexander has been ruled out for this week, leaving Greg Gilmore — who slid over into Lawrence’s place last week — as the lone healthy nose tackle.

Glen Logan, who started in place of Lawrence against UT-Chattanooga, is now also the reserve nose tackle. Neil Farrell is behind him, Orgeron said, but must sit out the first half Saturday because of a targeting ejection.