Brian Kelly Reveals LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Battling Torso Injury Amidst Offensive Struggles
By Will Rosenblatt, LSU Wire
LSU’s promising 2025 season start, marked by a 3-0 record, has been overshadowed by an offense struggling to find its rhythm and a significant revelation from head coach Brian Kelly regarding starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Kelly disclosed Monday that Nussmeier has been playing through a lingering torso injury, a factor that may explain the team’s inconsistent scoring and the quarterback’s “up and down” performance in the early weeks of the season.
The Tigers’ offensive struggles have been notably evident, with the team managing a mere five touchdowns across three games. Most notably, LSU failed to register a single point in the entire second half of their recent victory over Florida, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. This offensive slump has put unexpected pressure on a team with high expectations, especially concerning their veteran signal-caller.
Addressing the media, Coach Kelly shed crucial light on the situation. “You know, I’ll be honest, and I wasn’t going to get into this, but with you guys, I will,” Kelly stated candidly. “You know, he’s been slowed a little bit with a torso injury. And he’s fighting through it, and he’s getting better. And he’s not going to be able to really shut it down until we get to the bye week.” This admission offers a vital piece of context for Nussmeier’s early-season play.
The torso injury, which Nussmeier sustained during fall camp, has unfortunately persisted into the regular season. While the veteran quarterback has appeared to move without significant hindrance on the field, Kelly’s comments strongly suggest that the ailment could be directly contributing to his occasional inaccuracy and overall inconsistency. A fully healthy Nussmeier was widely expected to lead a high-powered LSU offense, and this injury undoubtedly impacts his ability to perform at his peak level.
The timeline for Nussmeier’s full recovery points to LSU’s upcoming bye week as a critical juncture. Until then, he will continue to manage the injury while leading the Tigers. LSU faces two more challenging matchups before that much-needed break: a home game against Southeastern and a crucial conference clash against Ole Miss. These games will undoubtedly test Nussmeier’s resilience and the team’s ability to overcome adversity while their starting signal-caller is less than 100%. The revelation puts Nussmeier’s early season statistics and the team’s offensive output into a new perspective, with hopes that the bye week will allow him to heal and fully ignite the LSU offense.
