Where LSU football goes after Whit Weeks' injury

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LSU football will be without linebacker Whit Weeks for an extended period. It's not even clear if the LSU defender will return in 2026. If he does, it won't be before the Alabama game on Nov. 7. LSU will have to navigate October without one of its best players.

Entering 2026, LSU was highlighted for its linebacker depth. Weeks, along with TJ Dottery and Davhon Keys, gave LSU three veteran linebackers with SEC experience. Now, Weeks is hurt. The depth took a hit too, as backup LB Charles Ross suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

The Weeks and Ross injuries came one week after STAR Da'Shawn Spears tore his ACL. The STAR position spends most of his reps in the secondary, but Spears played some linebacker, too. LSU's defense will look different now.

Without Weeks, expect Keys to enter the linebacker starting lineup. Keys has over 800 defensive snaps under his belt. He played 69 as a true freshman in 2024 and 572 as a sophomore in 2024. He's played 10 or more snaps in every game in 2026, so he has plenty of experience.

Losing Weeks is tough, but most defenses don't have a backup of Keys' caliber. If a team can figure out how to sustain an injury at linebacker, it's this LSU squad. Keys notched four tackles and two stops in 23 snaps vs. Texas A&M.

Keys is a different player than Weeks, though. Keys is physical, but he lacks Weeks' explosiveness and burst as a blitzer.

When LSU had Dottery and Weeks on the field, LSU DC Blake Baker had two explosive linebackers, both capable of rushing the passer, stopping the run, and dropping into coverage. Both linebackers' deep skill sets allowed LSU to mix up the looks and confuse defenses. The duo was playing at an All-American level.

Keys might force Baker to adjust. LSU's run defense won't change, and Keys is a good run defender, capable of setting the edge, setting blocks, and fitting the run in the box. But LSU may have to mix up its blitz packages to keep offenses on their toes.

Bottom line: Losing Weeks will hurt this LSU defense, but it shouldn't materially affect the Tigers' season in October. Davhon Keys is a competent player.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Where LSU football goes after Whit Weeks' injury

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