Chris Hilton Jr. Injury Update: Brian Kelly shares the latest on the start of the LSU WR’s bye week

At the beginning of the week before LSU defeated South Alabama 42-10, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly wide receiver said Chris Hilton Jr. would be likely against the Jaguars. However, Hilton ultimately did not play against South Alabama.

Hilton suffered an ankle injury in August and has yet to play in the 2024 season. After LSU’s win over South Alabama on Saturday, Kelly explained why Hilton didn’t see any action.

Again, I think it was more about finding someone who was 100% committed. [rather] than at 85, 90%”, Kelly said. “We could have had him out there tonight, but we want him 100%. And there was no point in getting him out of there tonight. We felt like we had enough firepower and we wanted him 100%.”

LSU certainly didn’t lack receiving options on Saturday. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier against the Jaguars connected with 11 different receivers, scoring 409 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Still, it never hurts to have another threat on the wing. In the 2023 campaign, Hilton caught 13 balls for 225 yards and two scores. LSU has a bye this weekend and will hopefully get Chris Hilton Jr. back on the field in Week 7.

Caden Durham breaks out for LSU

LSU’s receivers weren’t the only ones who shined against South Alabama. Freshman running back Caden Durham exploded for 128 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. He also had three catches for 89 yards and a score.

“He does an incredible job,” said Nussmeier. “Obviously he’s very explosive when he has the ball in his hands… I think the offensive line has also done an incredible job of giving him opportunities to have space to run. And when you give it space, good things happen.”

Durham didn’t hesitate to electrify Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. On LSU’s first play from scrimmage, Durham took a pass 71 yards to the house. It was the first time since 1982 that LSU scored on the first offensive play of a game.

Kelly couldn’t have been happier with Durham’s performance.

“I think we’ve done a really good job of putting him in a position to be successful, right?” Kelly said. “… I thought (offensive coordinator) Joe Sloan did a great job calling in that situation to get him out (on the sideline) because that’s a play we hadn’t made before.”