Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor and running back Fluff Bothwell are questionable to play against LSU.
The status of the two stars was updated on this week’s initial SEC availability report released Wednesday night. The report will be updated Thursday night, Friday night, and 90 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff.
The No. 16 Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) saw Taylor exit in the fourth quarter in a loss to No. 6 Alabama on Oct. 3 after he aggravated a lower-leg injury suffered against Missouri in the week prior. Before the Alabama game, the sophomore from Macon was widely touted as a Heisman Trophy contender. He has thrown for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions, while adding 159 yards and a score on the ground.
Bothwell aggravated a lower-leg injury in the first quarter against Alabama and did not return to the game. The junior back has 403 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season.
Jeff Lebby stayed mostly mum on Taylor and Bothwell’s status during his weekly press conference on Monday. But the third-year head coach did give some insight on who might start behind center if Taylor isn’t able to play.
“Right now, the focus is getting [Taylor] ready to play and having the ability to continue to create the depth in the (quarterbacks) room,” Lebby said. “Billy (Puckett) and AJ (Swann) obviously are the two guys who have been competing since day one in fall camp and really last spring. So, those guys obviously have the ability to get work if [Taylor] wasn’t ready to roll.”
Puckett is a redshirt freshman out of Jackson Prep, while Swann is a veteran with stops at Vanderbilt, LSU, and Appalachian State. Puckett has completed 8 of 14 passes this season for 89 yards. Swann has not logged any passes as a Bulldog but has 4,236 passing yards and 32 touchdowns on his career.
Taylor and Bothwell were the only Bulldogs listed as questionable on the initial report. Linebacker Zakari Tillman is doubtful, while linebacker Jalen Smith, wide receiver Ayden Williams, defensive lineman Trevion Williams, and defensive lineman Diesel Maye will not play.
Mississippi State and No. 22 LSU will kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. from Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.