Is Sam Leavitt playing against Ole Miss? Updates on LSU QB's status after controversial appearance on Tigers injury report

The No. 7 LSU Tigers' quarterback situation became a major storyline a mere days before kickoff of Saturday night's game against the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels. Tigers starting quarterback Sam Leavitt unexpectedly showed up on LSU's first injury reports on Wednesday evening. 

Although his status appeared to improve as the week progressed, there are still some questions surrounding the health of Leavitt ahead of the matchup. 

Here's the latest on Leavitt's injury, and whether or not he will play on Saturday night. 

MORE: Lane Kiffin's history of injury trolling has fans wondering how real Sam Leavitt's injury is 

Is Sam Leavitt playing against Ole Miss?

Here are the latest injury updates for Sam Leavitt and his status for Saturday's game vs. Ole Miss

Thursday, Sept. 17

8 p.m.: Leavitt's status had been upgraded from doubtful to "questionable." 

LSU QB Sam Leavitt is upgraded to questionable on the latest SEC availability report. https://t.co/CITYG71jxZ pic.twitter.com/Kjk35k8rrU

According to SEC rules regarding availability reports, players that are designated as questionable have a 50% chance to play.

2 p.m.: Lonn Phillips Sullivan of LSU Odyssey reported that while Leavitt has been dealing with an injury, he will "for sure play." 

MORE: Inside the hatred and pain that awaits Lane Kiffin as he returns to Oxford

Why is Sam Leavitt's status in doubt?

On Wednesday evening, Leavitt unexpectedly was listed as "doubtful" on the Tigers' initial availability report:  

A shocker on the SEC injury report, with LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt listed as doubtful. pic.twitter.com/jb7PMrblqR

Leavitt was also scheduled to meet with the LSU media on Tuesday, but did not show. 

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday that "no one" on Ole Miss' staff initially believed that Leavitt was actually injured.

There are mixed reports surrounding what his injury is, but several have reported it is to his upper body. On3's Pete Nakos reported Wednesday evening that Leavitt was dealing with shoulder soreness and was "limited" in practice early in the week.

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, additionally reported his injury as an "upper body injury," and added that he did not throw in practice on Wednesday. 

One report added that back spasms kept Leavitt out of practice on Wednesday, but he did practice on Thursday. 

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has not commented publicly on any injury for Leavitt in the days leading up to the game. 

MORE: Picking the winner of LSU-Ole Miss and other Week 3 games

LSU QB depth chart

This was what the depth chart looked like before LSU's game last week against Louisiana Tech:

Husan Longstreet is a redshirt freshman from Corona, Calif., who transferred from USC this offseason. Coming out of high school, he was rated by 247Sports as a five-star quarterback, ranked as the No. 4 overall signal-caller from 2025, and was the No. 2 overall prospect from California.

Landen Clark is also a redshirt freshman, coming from Elon to Baton Rouge this offseason.

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