Junior outside linebacker Arden Key will return to the field on Saturday against Mississippi State, LSU coach Ed Orgeron announced.
Key has not played in the Tigers first two games of the season due to offseason shoulder surgery. The All-American was a full go in practice last week, but was not cleared to play in LSU’s game against Chattanooga.
“He is going to work hard all week in full contact,” Orgeron said. “We are going to play him as much as we can. We are going to see during the week how much he can do.
“We had planned the whole time, that we thought this was a game he would be ready at. We were not for sure though. Obviously he is, he has worked very hard. He is a little bit heavier than what he played at last year, so he is going to have to get in game shape. I’m going to see how he does this week.”
Orgeron said that Key is up to 265 pounds, which is almost 30 pounds heavier than what he played at last year, but he hopes to see Key play around 255 to 260 pounds.
Key is coming off last season where he had a school-record 12 sacks in 10 games. Key has three sacks in two career games against Mississippi State.
Player reactions
“I’m glad to have Arden back,” sophomore inside linebacker Devin White said. “The rest of those guys have been doing a great job while Arden has been out.”
“He just puts a lot of stress on you as a pass rusher especially when you get in passing situations,” senior quarterback Danny Etling said.
“It’s tough to block him one-on-one, he’s got a great first step.”
“It’s very exciting,” freshman cornerback Greedy Williams said. “We have that quick rush now, even though we had it, but now we have a vet out there. Now the ball has to get out faster, means more for me.”
“He’s still that loud mouth guy, that will come in meetings making rooster sounds or dog sounds,” junior cornerback Donte Jackson said.
“It’s good to have him back on the field, back healthy. That’s the most important thing because he is like my brother. I’d rather him healthy then trying to rush back.
Having him back on the defense is a whole another momentum, a whole another direction to go in.
I can’t wait to see him…
I’d hate to be that quarterback, I’m glad to have him on my team.”