LSU Cornerback Suffers Injury Ahead of Season Opener Against Florida State
Florida State takes on the LSU Tigers in Week 1 once again, and last year the two teams provided an electric 24-23 win in favor of the Seminoles.
This year, the Tigers will be without cornerback JK Johnson, who was injured during fall camp. He's out indefinitely with a lower left fracture in his left leg.
The redshirt sophomore transfer from Ohio State was seen with a cast on his lower left leg at Monday's practice of fall camp.
READ MORE: Florida State Head Coach Mike Norvell Discusses Health Of The Team
“JK has a fracture,” head coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday while the team did charity work. “That’s got to get set. That looks to be a long-term situation that he’s going to be out.”
Johnson appeared 13 times with the Buckeyes last season, totaling 20 tackles. After the transfer, Johnson was the expected starter at one of the two cornerback positions.
For the Tigers, Duce Chestnut seems like the next cornerback on the depth chart and will replace Johnson. If things stand in Week 1 as they do now, Zy Alexander, another transfer for the Tigers, will start with Chestnut.
The Seminoles don't have an easy group of receivers to cover. Johnny Wilson is an instant mismatch target for Jordan Travis with his 6-foot-7, 237 pound frame. On top of this, Keon Coleman is another target that will be able to torch a second unit cornerback.
At SEC media day, Kelly broke down the first week matchup between the two up-and-coming programs finding their way back to top of college football.
"Going into this season, it certainly is going to be a great challenge for us as we open up against an outstanding Florida State team, which will challenge our football team," Kelly said. "It also motivates us on a day-to-day basis when we're out working in the cool breezes of Louisiana."
The two teams should be primed for another elite season opener between two programs that should be highly ranked heading into the season. If either team is attempting to make a run at the College Football Playoffs, the Week 1 win will be crucial.
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