By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor
LSU’s dangerously thin defensive line is getting even thinner.
Nose tackle Ed Alexander won’t play against Syracuse on Saturday night, LSU coach Ed Orgeron announced at his press luncheon Monday.
His absence leaves LSU with just one healthy, eligible nose tackle, Greg Gilmore. Transfer Breiden Fehoko and freshman Tyler Shelvin won’t be eligible to play until next season.
Defensive end Rashard Lawrence, who missed the 37-7 loss to Mississippi State, is uncertain for this week.
“We’re hoping we can move Greg Gilmore back to nose tackle,” Orgeron said. Gilmore slid outside to defensive end in Lawrence’s place before Alexander went down Saturday.
The coach continued: “Rashard Lawrence may play this week. If he does, we can back up Greg with Glen Logan … Behind him will be Neil Farrell.”
Orgeron declined to address the status of defensive end Frank Herron, who hasn’t dressed for any of the first three games. Don’t expect to see him on the field any time soon.
Farrell, another freshman defensive end, will miss the first half against the Orangemen after being ejected for targeting in the third quarter Saturday. Orgeron did say that LSU submitted that call — along with a few others — to the Southeastern Conference office.
Clearly depth at the position group is a point of concern for LSU’s defensive line guru turned head coach this year and beyond.
“We’re very thin there,” he said. “It’s an area that we need to do a better job of recruiting. Maybe have to go get a couple of junior college guys to help us out.”
PERSONNEL NOTES
– Running back Derrius Guice sustained a “minor injury” against Mississippi State and won’t practice Monday. He sat out most of the second half Saturday night. “We’re just protecting him,” Orgeron said. “I think he’s going to be fine though.” Guice himself said he got “a little nicked” and came in Sunday for treatment.
– Nickel back Kary Vincent’s status is uncertain for Syracuse, Orgeron said. He left Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
– Backup quarterback Myles Brennan will get extra reps in practice this week and could see action in LSU’s two non-conference games, Orgeron said. Danny Etling remains entrenched as LSU’s starter.
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