Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Mississippi Rebels Head Coach Pete Golding looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to an intercept by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the first half at Tiger Stadium
Is LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt really “doubtful’ for Saturday’s massive game against Ole Miss, as Wednesday’s injury report suggested?
Let’s just say that the Rebels are just a little bit skeptical of that designation, and they have good reason to be.
But the injury designation is just the latest in a series of mind games between the two programs following the departure of Lane Kiffin from Oxford to Baton Rouge.
Sam Leavitt Looked To Be Hurt Following Louisiana Tech Game
Now, if you want to take Kiffin and LSU at their word, you do have some evidence on your side. Leavitt, who transferred to the Tigers from Arizona State, struggled mightily in Week 2 against Louisiana State.
After the game, video appeared to show him walking around uncomfortably and even looking down at his lower body as if something was amiss.
Here was Sam Leavitt after the end of the La Tech game pic.twitter.com/T6UoDZj9JQ
— Baton Rouge Boot Krewe Media (@BatonRougeBKM) September 17, 2026
However, Leavitt did speak with the reporters following the game and didn’t appear to be in any discomfort while doing so.
The SEC availability report policy defines a doubtful designation as “unlikely to play due to significant concerns” and describes it as a player having a “25% chance to play,” and LSU could face a fine and additional punishment for Kiffin if the program is determined to have misled its opponent with an injury report.
Even so…
Ole Miss Isn’t Buying It
On Thursday morning’s ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the Ole Miss coaching staff is extremely skeptical of Leavitt’s injury designation, and is preparing for him to play on Saturday.
If Leavitt does not play, that would leave the starting job to sophomore Landen Clark, who, like Leavitt, joined the Tigers in the offseason from Elon.
No one on the Ole Miss staff is convinced LSU QB Sam Leavitt’s appearance as “doubtful” on the injury report is sincere and he’ll miss the game on Saturday, per sources. https://t.co/iIv6qiYK7q
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 17, 2026
Coincidentally, Kiffin was in a similar situation a year ago when Ole Miss started Austin Simmons got injured and was eventually usurped by FCS transfer Trinidad Chambliss.
Lane Kiffin Has A History Of Injury Report Shenanigans
You can excuse any Rebels coaches who are skeptical of Leavitt’s injury status. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time that Kiffin’s injury report differed dramatically between Wednesday and game time on Saturday.
Ahead of the 2024 matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia, Kiffin and company listed 26 players on their injury list. That number shrunk to 15 by Thursday, and 10 on Friday.
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who was listed as doubtful on Wednesday, played 60 of 65 potential offensive snaps and led Ole Miss in targets on Saturday.
Meanwhile, both Jared Ivey and Princely Umanmielen were listed as questionable before combining for 98 snaps, 10 pressures, and 4 sacks.
Safe to say, Kiffin is afraid to play some games with the injury report, and we already know he has no fear of punishment from the SEC.