LSU Football Running Back John Emery Suffers Torn ACL at Practice

Emery suffers another torn ACL in his sixth season with the program, set to miss remainder of 2024 season.

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) carries the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

LSU running back John Emery will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL at practice, sources confirm to LSU Tigers On SI. Wilson Alexander of The Advocate first reported the news.

Emery tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season, and after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal for his final season of eligibility, he elected to return to LSU. He ended the year rushing for 121 yards on 23 carries.

Now, he's suffered another ACL tear and will miss his final season with the Tigers.

Emery rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries in LSU's Week 1 loss where he looked poised to take on a major workload for the Tigers in 2024.

It's been a tricky road for Emery, who was rated a Top-15 prospect in the 2019 recruiting cycle, with the intention to depart Baton Rouge in hopes of finding a place to close out his career after last season.

News: #LSU RB John Emery has suffered another torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Emery tore his ACL in 2023 and elected to return to Baton Rouge for his sixth season with the program.

After a big performance on Sunday, his season is now over. pic.twitter.com/zVZ6LKDgsg

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) September 4, 2024

Emery has totaled 1,062 career rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while starting in five games and appearing in 37. He saw most of his production occur in 2020 and 2022, logging 75 and 76 carries, respectively.

Emery missed significant time with the program after sitting out the entire 2021 season due to academics as well as missing time in 2023 for the same reason.

The uphill battle continued towards the end of 2023 after Emery tore his ACL on a rushing play late in the year against the Florida Gators.

He announced he would not return to LSU after the 2023 season, and was not included in the postseason scholarship count. Many assumed he would either hang up his cleats or become an NFL free agent, but his next move was then locked in as a member of the 2024 roster.

After the highs and lows of his playing career in Death Valley, Emery returned to the program with one season of eligibility remaining.

Now, with his injury, LSU is left with three scholarship running backs in Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson and true freshman Caden Durham.

Trey Holly, who had 110 rushing yards last season as a true freshman, remains away from the program after he was arrested in February. He was then suspended from the team indefinitely following his arrest. 

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