Garrett Dellinger exited the Texas A&M game before the bye week due to an injury and will be unavailable for Saturday’s Top 15 matchup against Alabama.
On Monday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly revealed that Dellinger had TightRope surgery during the bye week and will miss this weekend’s contest with the Tide.
Kelly indicated that Dellinger is expected to have a “solid” chance of returning when LSU faces Florida in two weeks.
For the upcoming game, Kelly confirmed that backup Paul Mubenga, who stepped in for Dellinger after his injury against the Aggies, will be making his first college start at left guard.
“Paul has gradually positioned himself as what I consider a key backup,” Kelly remarked, noting that his primary focus has been on becoming “more physical” rather than just the mental side of the game. “He’s someone who is ready to rise to the occasion, and we expect him to perform well. He’ll be starting for us this week.
“His development has shown through his execution. He picks things up quickly; you don’t need to tell him twice. He understands our system and our objectives.”
LSU’s offensive line has largely consisted of the same five starters over the past two seasons, making this weekend’s change with Dellinger out and Mubenga in a significant shift from their recent lineup.
On Monday, Kelly emphasized that LSU needs to achieve balance in their running game, especially since their offense has been effective in the passing game. Despite starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s recent struggles, including three interceptions in the loss to Texas A&M, Kelly remains hopeful about him as he prepares for his 10th career start.
“That’s part of the process for a first-time starting quarterback,” Kelly explained. “Jayden Daniels had a tough first year; we had challenges against Auburn and narrowly won against Arkansas. We suffered tough defeats against Tennessee. Now, people are ready to celebrate Daniels in Washington. Early in his time here, many questioned his position in Baton Rouge.
“This is the reality for quarterbacks at any level, and Garrett gets that. With his father being a quarterbacks coach, he’s well-equipped for this challenge and won’t shy away from it.
“He addressed the media and took full responsibility for what happened, which is typical for quarterbacks—they often get too much credit or blame. Still, he’s committed to improving. We’re working with him to enhance his skills, and he’s eager to meet that challenge. I’m not worried about his confidence; he knows what to expect and understands that many successful NFL players have gone through similar developmental journeys.”