LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green might be ready for a return this weekend.
The Tigers’ preseason All-American was not listed on the Southeastern Conference’s initial availability report for the Auburn game, which is the first time Green hasn’t been listed as “out” since he was sidelined by a knee injury in a loss at Ole Miss in Week 3.
LSU’s two other starters sidelined by long-term injuries, linebacker Whit Weeks and safety Dashawn Spears, were still listed as “out” Wednesday for the 11 a.m. Saturday kickoff.
Meanwhile, Princewill Umanmielen, who is second in the SEC in sacks with 8.5, wasn’t listed in Wednesday’s availability report, either. Umanmielen exited LSU’s win over Mississippi State in the first quarter after a tackle.
Green, the 6-foot-7, 237-pound junior, was having a breakout season before he took an Ole Miss helmet to the knee late in a 32-24 loss to the Rebels. He had 14 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown in three games.
It was long believed Green could return after the open date next weekend, allowing him to play in a pivotal home game against Alabama on Nov. 7. But as LSU coach Lane Kiffin said on Oct. 5 before a trip to Kentucky, “If there’s anybody that’s going to come back sooner than maybe what people thought, it would be him.”
Green was out of a knee brace at that time, and Kiffin said he was “getting closer.” Having him back to face Auburn is fortuitous, given the other Tigers just beat then-No. 1 Georgia on Saturday.
LSU did list freshman defensive tackle Richard Anderson as doubtful Wednesday for the road trip to Auburn. Reserve linebacker Tylen Singleton, who missed last weekend’s game against Mississippi State, was not listed and should be available.
Kiffin said postgame Saturday that doctors held out both Umanmielen and receiver Jackson Harris, who appeared to injure his ankle on a second-half catch. Kiffin didn’t specify their injuries, but he said Sunday he believed Harris would be “fine.”
Harris, who has emerged as LSU’s leading receiver, confirmed as much Tuesday.
“I feel like if the game went differently, I could have went back out there and played,” Harris told reporters. “So we’ll be all good for this week.”
