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LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier's season began with some of the sport's loftiest expectations. The Tigers were among the championship favorites in a loaded SEC; their quarterback was a Heisman hopeful. And if he played well enough on Saturdays, he had a chance to be the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Four losses later, LSU's playoff hopes have evaporated into the humid Baton Rouge air. Head coach Brian Kelly was fired, replaced in the interim by Frank Wilson. Nussmeier has struggled, falling short of expectations against SEC competition.
In Week 11, the Tigers hit a new trough, benching Nussmeier in a 20-9 loss to Alabama. Ahead of another conference clash against Arkansas, Nussmeier received another update.
Garrett Nussmeier injury update
An injury to Nussmeier's midsection has defined his season. He's been able to play through it, albeit with tangible effects, and it has put his arm talent under the microscope.
Nussmeier's hype was never based on elite tools. But when his injury limited his ability to rotate efficiently, Nussmeier's arm strength was isolated, and LSU's offense suffered because of it.
Likewise, Nussmeier's ability to create out of structure more frequently than his tools would suggest made him a preseason top-50 prospect, with plenty of first-round grades across the college football landscape. His injury has changed the math on these plays, limiting his capacity to create explosives and get out of trouble.
According to Wilson, Nussmeier aggravated the injury at practice.
"A little bit concerning," Wilson said, via Reed Darcey of NOLA.com. "Something that we need to monitor and watch with him as we head into the game."
In the days before Saturday's clash, LSU's quarterback is expected to be ready to go. However, the Tigers will continue to keep an eye on Nussmeier.
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"We have to monitor him," Wilson said. "We have to nurture him. We have to care for him to allow him to be at his very best on Saturday. Our doctors, our trainers have...to do the things necessary to allow him to have some pain tolerance and give him the things necessary to have relief."
As for his NFL Draft stock, it has undeniably fallen in recent weeks. Nussmeier teetered along the edge of Days 1 and 2 to begin the year. His pre-snap prowess remains one of the best traits this crop of quarterbacks has to offer, but things went off the rails, and he has been too turnover-prone out of structure.
That renders Nussmeier a game manager who operates at his best when things are going according to plan. There's value to that, but it has become difficult to envision him leading LSU into battle against elite competition, much less a vaunted NFL defense. Expect Nussmeier's fans to accept a Day 2 fate, with skeptics suggesting he's a backup quarterback and a Day 3 pick.
In either event, the Tigers expect Nussmier back in the saddle on Saturday.
"As of today, Garrett will be the starter going into the game, and we'll monitor his progress as we move forward."
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