LSU coach Les Miles said most of the injuries the Tigers suffered Saturday against Alabama do not appear to be threatening, with the exception of senior running back Charles Scott’s season-ending fractured collarbone.Miles said he expects sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson to be back on the practice field this week after injuring his right ankle Saturday, as will sophomore cornerback Patrick Peterson and senior tight end Richard Dickson.”Patrick Peterson — it was really just cramps,” Miles said. “We expect Richard Dickson to return to practice sometime this week.”Miles said he has had phone conversations with Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive and the head of officials since Saturday about a controversial call that Peterson did not get a foot inbounds on an apparent interception of Alabama junior quarterback Greg McElroy in the fourth quarter. “They were in great position to see the play but could not see it,” Miles said. “I looked at the television feed, and I do not know what the instant replay officials are looking at … I’m going to figure that if there’s an issue, they’ll get it fixed.”With Scott out for the season, Miles said several LSU running backs will have to step in to replace him.”[Scott] had so much experience, and there were so many different ways we used him,” Miles said. “Keiland Williams, Stevan Ridley may get a little bit more of a look as well as No. 10 [Russell Shepard] and No. 8 [Trindon Holliday] as ball carriers.”Williams did not have a carry Saturday in Scott’s absence. Miles said the senior will still be an integral part of the LSU offense.”There was a place in the [Alabama] game where we would have liked to have tossed him the ball, and he would’ve run down the sideline unscathed,” Miles said. “It’s a read we’d like to have back. I can only tell you we are going to call his number as best we can and as often as we can.”Miles said true freshman fullback Dominique Allen may get some playing time, and he wants to maintain true freshman running back Michael Ford’s redshirt status.Miles said Alabama sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones’ 73-yard touchdown catch on a screen pass in the fourth quarter was a turning point in the game. The score gave Alabama a 21-15 lead with 10:24 to play.Sophomore defensive back Brandon Taylor played at cornerback on that play because Peterson was out of the game. Miles said the reason for the switch was because junior Jai Eugene “had a tweak.””[Eugene] was pulled off because of injury, not because of play,” Miles said. “I don’t argue that part of the personnel. “Anytime I can get Brandon Taylor front side, it’s an advantage for us … he’s one of those guys who is very comfortable at both spots.”LSU (7-2, 4-2) moved up from No. 9 to No. 8 in the BCS standings Sunday despite the loss. Alabama (9-0, 6-0) is No. 2.”It’s an interesting fact we go up in the BCS standings after a game we finished second to a very good Alabama team,” Miles said. “It speaks to the strength of play our team sees week-in and week-out.”–Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]
Football: Jefferson expected to practice this week after injury
November 10, 2009