Ole Miss staff skeptical of Sam Leavitt ‘doubtful’ injury before LSU showdown
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The Ole Miss coaching staff doesn’t believe LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt is hurt badly enough to miss Saturday’s college football game, even after the Tigers listed him as doubtful on the first SEC availability report of the week.
ESPN senior writer Pete Thamel reported the Rebels’ skepticism Thursday: “No one on the Ole Miss staff is convinced LSU QB Sam Leavitt’s appearance as ‘doubtful’ on the injury report is sincere and he’ll miss the game on Saturday, per sources.”
Sam Leavitt shoulder injury report details
LSU posted the injury report at 8:10 p.m. ET Wednesday. The No. 7 Tigers visit No. 8 Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.
The SEC’s policy says a doubtful player is “unlikely to play due to significant concerns” and has a “25% chance to play.” The league also bans reports “intended to hide a student-athlete’s true participation status for competitive or strategic reasons.”
On3 reporter Pete Nakos said Leavitt has a sore throwing shoulder and has been limited in practice. CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz reported that the Arizona State transfer didn’t throw at practice Wednesday.
But Leavitt finished last week’s 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech and talked to reporters afterward without looking hurt. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t mention an injury at his Monday news conference. The West Linn, Oregon, native was also set to speak with the media Tuesday, but LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said at the last minute that the quarterback had left the building.
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Why is Ole Miss doubting LSU’s report?
Kiffin coached Ole Miss for six seasons before he left for LSU during the 2025 season, so Saturday is his first game back in Oxford. He has also been reluctant to talk about injuries.
College football analyst Josh Pate discussed the report Thursday on ESPN’s Get Up.
“Everyone on the Ole Miss side, and frankly the LSU side, has a healthy layer of skepticism about this,” Pate said. “This doubtful listing on the injury report when it was released yesterday was kind of out of left field, even to people who cover LSU.”
Will Compton, who was also on the Get Up panel, agreed with Pate.
“Nothing is outside of the boundaries of what Lane Kiffin can do here,” Compton said. “I don’t think it’s unfair at all to question if Sam Leavitt is even hurt.”
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LSU backups Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet
If Leavitt can’t play, Elon transfer Landen Clark or USC transfer Husan Longstreet are LSU’s backup options at quarterback. Clark has come in as the backup in both of LSU’s games, and he’s completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Longstreet is a former five-star recruit with very little experience.
Leavitt has started both of LSU’s wins and thrown for 574 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. LSU and Ole Miss must post updated reports Thursday and Friday, and the SEC requires a final report 90 minutes before kickoff. The Tigers could face a $25,000 penalty for an inaccurate availability report.
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