When the injury bug bites, it usually bites hard, and it has bitten the No. 9 Tigers.
With 16 players now appearing on the injury list since the start of the season, LSU’s preseason starting lineup now looks more like an infirmary’s patient list, with Saturday’s game against Florida being perhaps LSU’s most trying game.
The Tigers played multiple defensive series without junior linebacker Kevin Minter, who received intravenous fluids in the locker room for cramps. Senior center P.J. Lonergan and junior guard Josh Williford also missed multiple plays.
But the Tigers’ biggest loss might be freshman linebacker Kwon Alexander.
LSU coach Les Miles confirmed Monday that Alexander will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the second half Saturday.
Alexander tallied 11 tackles, recovered two fumbles and forced another fumble in the Tigers’ first six games.
“He was one of the best freshman linebackers I’ve been around,” Minter said. “He caught onto the defense so fast.”
With the unexpected loss of Alexander, the young linebacking corps will now rely more heavily on veterans Minter and junior Lamin Barrow.
Barrow said Minter finishing Saturday’s game despite his cramps is the type of leadership the other linebackers will need going forward.
But Minter said it is ultimately the responsibility of Alexander’s replacements to fill the void.
Alexander is yet another name added to the list of key contributors that have missed time on the field for the Tigers this season.
Junior running back Alfred Blue has been ruled out indefinitely with a knee injury. Despite missing the last three games, Blue is the Tigers’ second leading rusher and leads all LSU running backs in yards per attempt and average yards per game.
Junior offensive tackle Chris Faulk was sidelined before the season began after injuring his knee during fall camp.
Faulk’s absence has turned the Tigers’ offensive line into a carousel of rotating players this season.
Senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk was shuffled to left tackle early this season, but has been replaced in recent weeks in favor of freshman Vadal Alexander.
But with Miles still uncertain whether Williford will be able to play Saturday against South Carolina, the Tigers’ turntable of offensive linemen could continue, and Dworaczyk could see starting time again, filling in at right guard.
With South Carolina being hailed as one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the country, the Tigers will need to quickly find a lineup that works. LSU has allowed 15 sacks in just six games, which is one more than it allowed through the entire regular season in 2011.
Sophomore offensive guard La’el Collins said the offensive line’s performance would be better if it could find some consistency.
“If we didn’t have to move anybody, and everybody was healthy, [the line’s play] would be remarkable right now,” Collins said.
The losses for LSU have been numerous, but Miles said he has confidence in the backups because of their abilities to acquire depth in recent recruiting classes.
“We’re counting on our guys to play the position well, period,” Miles said. “When they step in and they’re no longer a backup, they’re a starter.”
Though it is difficult to replace key contributors week after week, Minter said he and other Tigers aren’t using injuries as an excuse for their play in last Saturday’s 14-6 loss to Florida.
“Injuries happen,” Minter said. “This is football, one of the most violent sports on Earth, and you just have to be ready.”
