Sources told The Advocate that LSU running back John Emery is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in practice. The Tigers will now be without their best runner from the season opener.
Emery was recovering from a torn ACL in his right back last November against Florida. He transferred in the offseason but ultimately returned to LSU for his sixth season.
Emery rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries in LSU’s 27-20 opening loss to Southern Cal. He provided momentum on the ground for the Tigers, who otherwise struggled to run the ball consistently. Emery ran for 52 yards on LSU’s only touchdown drive of the second half.
“I know he’s a big running back and we see him as a battering ram, but John has really good vision,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “And what he still needs to develop is lower body strength. He tires quickly. And when he recovers from his knee, he’ll be able to make multiple runs.”
Without Emery, LSU has three running backs on scholarships: sixth-year senior Josh Williams, sophomore Kaleb Jackson and freshman Caden Durham. Redshirt freshman Trey Holly is not on the team after being arrested in February in connection with a shooting incident in Union Parish. Holly’s case is still pending.
LSU revamped its running attack in the offseason, looking to rely on a veteran offensive line without dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Tigers rushed for 117 yards on 26 carries against USC, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. However, the running game was inconsistent, and the Tigers rushed for 3 yards in the fourth quarter.
“We have to be more efficient in our running game,” Kelly said Tuesday. “My position and my goal is when it comes to third down and everyone knows you want to run, to be creative but play at a high level. And we didn’t play at the level we’re capable of.”
Emery did most of the work. Williams rushed for 33 yards on nine runs and Jackson rushed for 18 yards on six runs. Both averaged less than 4 yards per run. Durham traveled to Las Vegas but did not play.
Before Emery’s injury, Kelly said LSU needed to put the running backs in situations that “highlight” their respective strengths.
“They’re not all inside zone runners,” Kelly said. “They’re not all guys that execute a certain play well, and I think that’s what we’re kind of managing now.”
But now Emery must recover from another serious knee injury, and LSU must survive the rest of the season with a small running back room.
