Craig Loston sidelined again?
LSU coach Les Miles and team trainers help safety Craig Loston off the field during the first half of the Tigers' game at West Virginia last season. Loston has been plagued by injuries throughout his LSU career, including a concussion last season trying to make a tackle against West Virginia.
Safety could miss team’s first scrimmage Saturday
The LSU Tigers went through a single practice Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday’s first preseason scrimmage in Tiger Stadium.
One player who may not be participating in that scrimmage is Craig Loston.
The junior strong safety was seen limping out of the LSU football complex with one crutch after what was believed to be a toe injury.
The practice was closed to the media, so the manner in which Loston was injured could not be determined. Loston has been plagued by injuries throughout his LSU career, including a concussion last season trying to make a tackle against West Virginia.
Liggins not a Rebel
Quarterback Jeremy Liggins’ future remains unclear, but the Oxford, Miss., native is not enrolled at Ole Miss, Rebels assistant athletic director Kyle Campbell said.
Liggins, who committed to LSU in February but did not qualify academically, left Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earlier this week. Liggins said he planned to retake the SAT in hopes of becoming eligible in 2013.
One day at a time
Saturday’s scrimmage isn’t a particularly big deal to junior running back Michael Ford, the team’s leading rusher a year ago.
Ford was asked about the scrimmage after practice Thursday.
“Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it because I don’t know when the scrimmage is,” he said. “I heard it was Saturday, but in camp you just go day by day. If you look ahead too far, you get your head all messed up. I’ve got to live through another practice, seize the moment and get better each day.”
The scrimmage, though, could help determine the eventual outcome of some position battles, including running back, which might be the most competitive position on the team.
Ford and fellow juniors Spencer Ware and Alfred Blue and sophomore Kenny Hilliard are in a tight battle for playing time, just as they were throughout last season. Sophomore Terrence Magee and true freshman Jeremy Hill of Redemptorist are trying to work their way into the thick of the competition.
The bearded No. 1
A number of LSU players have been sporting beards during preseason camp, with various degrees of success.
Fullback J.C. Copeland recently boasted to reporters that he has the best beard on the team, a claim that defensive tackle Anthony “Freak” Johnson scoffed at.
“Man, I’ve had this beard since I was 12,” Johnson said. “I have the best beard on the team.”
Johnson, just 19, sports a shaved head and full bushy beard that makes him look like a stocky version of former Southern and Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Mel Blount.
Johnson doubted some of his teammates will be able to match him in the facial hair department any time soon.
“Odell Beckham, he’s going to have a baby face forever,” Johnson said with a grin.
Media ban extended
The Tigers’ practices have been closed to the media at least through the weekend for an undisclosed reason.
Reporters have not been allowed into practice since Monday even though they were scheduled to view part of individual drills through Aug. 18.
Both of Friday’s practices are closed and the scrimmage on Saturday was always scheduled to be closed. LSU will not practice Sunday.
No announcement about next week’s practices has been made.
5 Tigers make SI.com team
LSU cornerback/kick returner Tyrann Mathieu and four teammates were named Thursday to the SI.com preseason All-America team.
Mathieu made the first team at both positions, along with defensive end Sam Montgomery, free safety Eric Reid and punter Brad Wing. Offensive tackle Chris Faulk made the second team.
Also named to the second team was Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen.