Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss this weekend is already making major headlines three days before the game even begins. On Wednesday LSU released their SEC mandated injury report, and star quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed doubtful to play in this game, but fans aren't so sure if that is accurate.
Leavitt being doubtful to play upset fans across the country for a couple reasons. One reason is because they don't want to see was one of the best players on either team not play in such a heated matchup. College football fans want both LSU and Ole Miss to be at full strength so they can take this game in with all of its glory, but if Leavitt doesn't play then this game becomes less exciting.
It remains to be seen if Leavitt will play, but a doubtfull tag on paper means he more than likely won't play. Some fans however were quick to point out that Kiffin has a history of gaming the system when it comes to injury reports, so that upset some fans ever more because Leavitt may still be expected to play on Saturday.
Lane Kiffin has a history of funny business with injury reports
Leavitt wouldn't be the first example of Kiffin's squad miraculously getting more healthy within a couple days during game week. As Georgia insider Graham Coffey pointed out, ahead of the 2024 matchup between Georgia and Ole Miss the Rebels injury report had 26 players on it on Wednesday before quickly shrinking to just 10 players two days later.
They also d one wide receiver play a whopping 60 snaps after being marked doubtful on the injury report and two defenders who were both questionable combine for 90 snaps, 10 pressures and four sacks.
I’d keep an open mind on Leavitt and I certainly wouldn’t rush to place any bets based on this news
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) September 17, 2026
In the 2024 UGA-Ole Miss game, the initial injury report for Ole Miss had 26 players. It shrunk to 15 on Thursday and 10 on Friday
WR Jordan Watkins was doubtful on Wednesday. He… https://t.co/KmYkomTLCc
Gaming injury reports is against SEC rules. There unfortunately isn't any easy way to prove if a team is doing this, so Kiffin won't get in any trouble regardless of what he is doing.
There is a chance that he isn't doing anything wrong and his injury reports magically get much better, but no one should be surprised if we did find out that Kiffin is playing the system with his star quarterback.
Georgia football rules 3 Bulldogs out for season opener
Kirby Smart and Georgia on the other hand are undeniably not trying to game the system. On Wednesday they only had three Bulldogs appear on their injury report and all three players were ruled out for Saturday's contest at Arkansas.
Initial Georgia-Arkansas Availability Report: pic.twitter.com/3PKqA0ni9j
— The Bulldawg Report (@ReportBulldawg) September 17, 2026
Star linebacker Chase Linton once again won't play this weekend. He is yet to make his first appearance this year and at this point it isn't clear how injured he is. Georgia could really use him starting next week when Oklahoma comes to Athens, so hopefully he can get healthy by then.
Freshman defensive backs Justice Fitzpatrick and Tyriq Green were both ruled out as well. They are both reserve players for Georgia's secondary so their absence shouldn't impact Georgia's defense all that much. Green however did score two touchdowns during their win over Western Kentucky last week so he could've been in store for more playing time.
Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin couldn't be more different. They are both elite coaches, but Kiffin seems to love the spotlight while Smart loves to live in the shadows and let his team's play on Saturdays do the talking. LSU and Georgia do not play during the regular season this year, but based on how this season plays out they could eventually meet in the SEC Championship game or College Football Playoff.
Kickoff between Arkansas and Georgia is scheduled for Noon EST on Saturday, Sept. 19.
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