Notebook 2.0: Brian Kelly Talks Injury Report, Aaron Anderson Usage

LSU will take a professional approach with its injury protocols, provide a consistent report.

LSU kicked off preseason practice on Thursday with LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly addressing the media following Day 1. From injury protocols to expectations this fall, Kelly harped on several subjects surrounding this program.

Here are a few takeaways from Kelly’s first presser of the season in our Notebook 2.0:

Injury Protocols

Brian Kelly will take an NFL-like approach this season when it comes to injury updates. Every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, Kelly will release an injury report whether each player is doubtful, questionable, available, etc. leading up to game time.

“We thought it was important given the nature of what’s going on relative to gaming that we wanted to make sure we were transparent with injuries,” Kelly said. “We came up with a protocol procedure that’s similar to what the NFL does so we’ll do that twice during the week.”

Kelly detailed his thought process when it came to switching things up and rolling with a more professional approach.

“I wanted to be proactive and not reactive. It’s better to be proactive in those situations and take away from the temptations to even have that in this building,” Kelly said. “Not be that next school that goes down that path. I just think it’s gonna be consistent. It makes it easier, makes it cleaner.

“I’ve been doing this so long, I don’t know that I’ve ever gone into the game going ‘wow we’ve got an upper hand today, I didn’t know he wasn’t playing.’ I just think it’s overrated,” Kelly said. “You’re preparing throughout the week for what you expect so I think it’s much to do about nothing.”

Notebook 1.0: What Brian Kelly Had To Say After Day 1

Aaron Anderson Usage

Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson will be featured in a variety of ways this season whether it be as a receiver or return specialist, but Kelly has a few tricks up his sleeve on how to get the most out of his speedster.

“I think there’s going to be a lot more to see from him. As we continue to build the offense I think you’ll see him build in other areas as well, I think you’ll see him in the backfield, in the special teams game. [Thursday] was a first glimpse, he’s got speed and explosiveness,” Kelly said. “Our strength coaches really liked his work ethic so I would say we’ve just scratched the surface with what we can do with him.”

Anderson missed spring camp after cleaning up a knee injury he suffered last year, but now at full strength, he’s certainly set to take on a major role for the Tigers moving forward. He’s effective in several areas and a Swiss Army knife LSU can utilize this season in different formations.

Taking That Next Step

LSU exceeded expectations in Year 1 of the Brian Kelly era after reaching the SEC Championship Game in 2022, but looking ahead, the Tigers will need to take that next step to continue progression.

“Everything that we do, we should do a little bit better. Does that mean we’re gonna win every game we play? I’d like to but I think that you have to have a realistic expectation that the work we did last year, we should be able to build upon,” Kelly said. “We should be making some kind of incremental jump in all areas.”

The Tigers’ next goal will be to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff, and with the returning talent this program attains, it isn’t far-fetched at all.