LSU junior linebacker Ryan Baker broke his jaw in Friday’s practice, and coach Les Miles predicted a recovery period of four to six weeks.
It was a pretty routine but heavy-hitting drill – unusual contact,” Miles said. “The blow hit him in the chin. I did not think it was significant at first, although it was a heavy hit. It’s very unfortunate; he was having a great fall camp. I had a center who played for me, Steve Everitt, who broke his jaw in the Big 10 (Michigan) and came back in three weeks. Baker is pretty tough, so I just don’t know.”
Miles said there are a number of options to back up Baker, specifically mentioning senior Kelvin Sheppard’s ability to move positions among the linebackers.
Freshman running back Jakhari Gore also limped off the field in the morning practice, and Miles said Gore “has a minor soft tissue injury, which doesn’t appear to be very significant.”
“We’ll have him back in short order – how short I don’t know,” Miles said.
The Tigers will hold a live tackle scrimmage tomorrow at Tiger Stadium. Miles said the scrimmage will be close to 100 snaps, with the first-team defense and first-team offense battling with the exception of two series.
Miles said sophomore defensive tackle Josh Downs will miss the scrimmage to attend a funeral. Downs sat out of practice today with an injury.
—-Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected].