LSU’s 32-24 loss at Ole Miss did more than hand the seventh-ranked Tigers their first defeat of the 2026 season. It also produced two major injury stories—one encouraging and one devastating.
Star tight end Trey’Dez Green left in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to his right knee, while starting STAR safety Dashawn Spears exited earlier with an injury to his left knee. Neither player returned.
Green’s mother, Laketrackey Green, wrote on Facebook Sunday that an MRI showed no tear in his knee and that he will not need surgery. She said he is dealing with “some bad sprains and bruises” and will miss some games while he recovers with time, treatment and rest.
The outlook for Spears is much worse. CBS Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz reported Sunday, citing sources, that Spears suffered a season-ending ACL injury. LSU had not issued its own detailed medical announcement at the time of this update, so the diagnosis should be attributed to that report.
The Tigers are now 2-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play after nearly erasing a 17-point halftime deficit at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Trey’Dez Green’s MRI Shows No Tear
Green was injured at one of the most important moments of LSU’s comeback attempt.
Early in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-7 tight end caught a pass from Sam Leavitt and powered his way for a 19-yard gain to the Ole Miss 31-yard line. Multiple defenders converged as the play ended, and Green immediately showed discomfort after contact around his right knee.
He attempted to rise but could not leave under his own power. LSU’s medical staff helped him off the field, and he was later seen using crutches after an evaluation in the injury tent.
Green did not return, but Sunday’s MRI delivered the best possible news after a frightening scene. According to the update from his mother, nothing in his knee was torn and surgery will not be required.
That does not mean Green will be immediately available. His mother said he has significant sprains and bruising and “will miss some games.” No exact recovery timetable has been announced, and LSU will still have to monitor how he responds to treatment.
Before the injury, he had caught four passes for 60 yards and was creating matchup problems for the Ole Miss defense. Through three games, Green leads LSU with 222 receiving yards on 14 receptions—an average of 15.9 yards per catch.
His absence was felt immediately. LSU ultimately settled for a short field goal to tie the game at 24 rather than finishing the possession with a touchdown.
On the Tigers’ final drive, backup tight end Zach Grace was unable to secure a potential touchdown on third-and-goal. Leavitt’s fourth-down pass was then deflected and intercepted in the end zone, ending LSU’s comeback bid.
That does not mean Green would automatically have changed the result, but losing a 6-foot-7 target severely reduced LSU’s options near the goal line.
eport: Dashawn Spears Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury
Spears left early in the second quarter after injuring his left knee. He required help leaving the field, put little weight on the leg and did not return.
On Sunday, Zenitz reported that an MRI showed a season-ending ACL injury. If confirmed by LSU, the diagnosis ends Spears’ junior season after only three games and removes one of the defense’s most versatile pieces from the lineup.
The 6-foot-3, 209-pound safety plays LSU’s hybrid STAR position. His ability to work near the line of scrimmage, cover in space and support against the run gives the Tigers flexibility with their personnel and pressure packages.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss repeatedly attacked the middle of the field and finished 33 of 48 for 363 yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels generated 24 first-half points before LSU’s defense settled down and helped fuel the comeback.
It would be too simplistic to blame the early defensive problems on Spears’ absence alone. Ole Miss started quickly, executed at a high level and consistently created favorable matchups. However, losing an experienced, multi-purpose defender made the adjustments more difficult.
Kiffin’s Initial Concern Proved Justified
Kiffin acknowledged after the game that Green and Spears are two critical members of the team and indicated that neither was close to returning. His comments came before Sunday’s MRI updates.
Green’s result brings significant relief because the injury will not require surgery, even though LSU must prepare to play without him in the short term. Spears’ reported ACL tear creates a permanent hole in the 2026 defense.
The first formal availability report for the Texas A&M game should provide a clearer designation for Green later in the week. Spears is expected to miss the remainder of the season under the CBS Sports report.
Sam Leavitt Finishes After Entering With Questions
Quarterback Sam Leavitt was a surprise addition to the pregame availability report and had been listed as doubtful earlier in the week. Despite that designation, he started and played the entire game.
Leavitt completed 14 of 24 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and the late interception. He also ran for 63 yards and a touchdown, providing much of LSU’s offensive spark during the second-half rally.
One scramble ended with multiple defenders flipping Leavitt before he landed hard near the goal line. He remained in the game and scored on the following play.
There was no confirmed postgame report of a new injury for Leavitt, but his status still deserves attention during the practice week. LSU needs its starting quarterback as close to full strength as possible against Texas A&M.
How LSU Replaces Green While He Recovers
With Green expected to miss multiple games, LSU will have to redistribute his role rather than expect one player to replace everything he provides.
Grace and Malachi Thomas are the primary reserve tight ends. Grace received the crucial late target against Ole Miss, while Thomas played but was not targeted. Both may see expanded snaps as blockers and receivers.
LSU can also compensate with more three-receiver formations, running-back involvement and designed throws to the perimeter. None of those adjustments fully recreates the red-zone advantage Green provides with his size.
His absence will be especially important on third down and inside the 20-yard line, where condensed space makes large catch radiuses invaluable. The encouraging news is that LSU should have an opportunity to get Green back later in the season if his recovery progresses as expected.
Replacing Spears Requires a Group Effort
Spears’ hybrid role creates a different—and now season-long—challenge. LSU may need to divide his responsibilities among multiple defensive backs and linebackers based on the situation.
The staff must determine who handles coverage assignments against tight ends and running backs, who replaces his physicality in the box and whether the defense can maintain the same disguise packages without him.
That evaluation becomes urgent against Texas A&M. The Aggies will arrive in Baton Rouge after a 31-21 loss to Kentucky, making both teams desperate to avoid a second consecutive conference defeat.
The Ole Miss Loss in Context
LSU opened the game with three consecutive punts and fell behind 17-0 before Dilin Jones scored on a 2-yard run. Ole Miss answered just before halftime to take a 24-7 lead.
The Tigers responded after the break. Ja’Keem Jackson intercepted Chambliss, Leavitt scored on the ground and later found Winston Watkins Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown. Scott Starzyk’s 23-yard field goal tied the game at 24 with 11:21 remaining.
Chambliss then led a 75-yard drive and scored on a 14-yard run. Ole Miss added a two-point conversion for the final 32-24 margin.
LSU reached the Rebels’ 6-yard line on its final possession but could not score. Jaylon Braxton’s interception in the end zone ended the threat.
The comeback showed resilience, but the slow start and injuries left LSU with too much to overcome.
What’s Next for LSU?
The Tigers host Texas A&M on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The matchup already carried significant SEC consequences before Green and Spears went down.
LSU’s response to the injuries will now be one of the week’s biggest stories. The most important developments to monitor will be:
- How many games Green is expected to miss and how his knee responds to treatment
- Who takes over Spears’ STAR responsibilities for the remainder of the season
- Whether Leavitt appears fully available after playing through the Ole Miss game
- How the tight-end and defensive rotations change during practice
LSU proved it could fight back in a hostile road environment. The next challenge is determining how healthy the Tigers will be when they attempt to respond at home.
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