Senior Jacobian Guillory’s injury compromised LSU’s defensive tackle depth as SEC play approaches.
Freshman and former five-star prospect Dominick McKinley won’t be part of the defensive front for the next couple of weeks, either.
“He’s had a little bit of a set back with turf toe and it’s been fairly significant,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. “He’s getting scarring down on that joint which his allowing him to do much more he’s on our demo squad right now, and he’s doing a great job.
“I’d say that it’s probably another week or two to get this toe where he can be powerful with it. After that we’re going to accelerate him as quickly as possible and see where that gets us.”
Starter Gio Paez will play one tackle spot. Kelly and defensive line coach Bo Davis will have to get creative form there. Kelly identified defensive end Paris Shand as a viable option on the defensive interior.
“The most important this is we’ve got a great leader in Bo Davis,” Kelly said. “He’s helping those guys really understand how important their role is. We’ve got some young guys who are going to have to step up and play some meaningful snaps for us.”
Shand moving inside frees up some snaps on the edge where Sai’vion Jones, Da’Shawn Womack and Bradyn Swinson have logged the most time.
Womack missed some practice time this week. Kelly said Womack was “moving around” on Thursday.
“He’s probably more like a gameday decision.”
LSU and South Carolina kickoff just after 11 a.m. central time Saturday in Columbia.
