BREAKING: Sam Leavitt Upgraded to Questionable vs. Ole Miss

LSU's biggest game week of the young 2026 season took a sharp turn Wednesday night. Starting quarterback Sam Leavitt is now listed as doubtful for the Tigers' top-10 road showdown at Ole Miss, putting the position at the center of every conversation in Baton Rouge and Oxford.

What Happened

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the SEC’s Thursday availability report, posted September 17 at 7:10 p.m. CT. The change came after Leavitt returned to practice, but LSU has not announced whether he will start against Ole Miss on September 19. Tylen Singleton improved from questionable to probable, while TJ Dottery remains questionable. Phillip Wright III, Jaiden Braker and Raycine Guillory Jr. remain out.

Thursday Update: WDSU reported at 1:50 p.m. CT Thursday that Leavitt participated in LSU's morning practice after back spasms kept him out Wednesday. The report attributes the practice information to ESPN Radio Baton Rouge host Matt Moscona and says sources confirmed it.

CBS Sports also reported that Leavitt participated in Thursday's walkthrough. Neither report establishes that he threw without limitation, and neither changes the official SEC designation by itself. LSU's next availability report remains the authoritative checkpoint.

The initial SEC availability report delivered the first official indication that Leavitt's status is in serious doubt. Reuters reported that the quarterback was limited with a sore shoulder and identified Landen Clark or Husan Longstreet as LSU's alternatives if Leavitt cannot go.

CBS Sports reported that Leavitt did not throw during Wednesday's practice. On3 separately reported that the issue involves his throwing shoulder and that LSU is monitoring him closely.

What changed in Thursday’s SEC availability report?

Sam Leavitt moved from doubtful to questionable on the official Thursday report, the first formal upgrade in his status since LSU’s initial Wednesday filing. The SEC posted the update at 7:10 p.m. CT on September 17. Questionable means his availability remains uncertain; LSU has not announced a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss.

LSU also upgraded linebacker Tylen Singleton from questionable to probable. Linebacker TJ Dottery remains questionable. Wide receiver Phillip Wright III, linebacker Jaiden Braker and running back Raycine Guillory Jr. remain out. The SEC will issue another report Friday and a final game-day report 90 minutes before kickoff.

Official SEC availability report: https://www.secsports.com/fbreports

What Does 'Doubtful' Mean After Thursday Practice?

Doubtful is not the same as out, but it remains a significant official designation. Thursday participation improves Leavitt's outlook because he was back on the field after missing Wednesday, yet it does not mean he has been cleared to start, throw at full strength or play against Ole Miss. LSU's later SEC reports will determine whether his designation changes.

That leaves room for Leavitt's status to improve, but LSU cannot treat Wednesday's report as routine maintenance. The Tigers now have to prepare a backup quarterback to run the offense in one of the loudest road environments on their schedule while still giving Leavitt every chance to respond to treatment.

What We Know About Sam Leavitt's Shoulder

The official availability report does not identify a specific injury or body part. The shoulder detail comes from media reporting, so that distinction matters: LSU has officially confirmed only Leavitt's doubtful status, not a diagnosis or a recovery timetable.

The most concerning football detail is that the issue affects Leavitt's throwing side. A quarterback can sometimes play through pain, but velocity, accuracy and the ability to drive throws outside the numbers all depend on the shoulder. Any limitation would be magnified against an Ole Miss defense that has already made its plan clear: contain Leavitt's legs and force him to win from the pocket.

TigerHype previously broke down Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding's plan to make Leavitt win from the pocket. That matchup now takes on a completely different meaning if the LSU quarterback cannot throw at full strength.

Who Starts If Leavitt Cannot Play?

Landen Clark is the most experienced option on LSU's current depth chart, with Husan Longstreet also available. Clark has completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown this season without an interception. He has also rushed for 42 yards and a score.

Clark's skill set gives LSU a way to preserve some quarterback-run elements, but the playbook would almost certainly tighten in Oxford. The Tigers would need cleaner early-down execution, a reliable run game and better protection than they showed while allowing five sacks against Louisiana Tech.

That makes LSU's offensive-line protection problem even more urgent. A backup quarterback cannot be asked to survive repeated third-and-long situations against disguised pressure in his first major SEC road assignment.

LSU's Full Initial Availability Report vs. Ole Miss

• Out: wide receiver Phillip Wright III, linebacker Jaiden Braker and running back Raycine Guillory Jr.

• Doubtful: quarterback Sam Leavitt.

• Questionable: linebacker TJ Dottery and linebacker Tylen Singleton.

• Probable: tight end Trey'Dez Green, linebacker Whit Weeks, linebacker Davhon Keys and offensive lineman Aliou Bah.

Why TJ Dottery's Status Also Matters

Leavitt's designation will dominate the headlines, but Dottery's questionable status is a major defensive concern. Dottery has been one of LSU's most active defenders and produced nine tackles, two forced fumbles and a quarterback hurry against Louisiana Tech, according to Tiger Rag.

Tiger Rag's availability report also lists Tylen Singleton as questionable. LSU's linebacker depth would be tested if either player is unavailable against an Ole Miss offense built to stress pursuit angles with quarterback mobility, tempo and Kewan Lacy's rushing threat.

When Will LSU Update Leavitt's Status?

Thursday's practice participation is the first positive development after the initial Wednesday report, but the SEC availability report remains the official status document. LSU and Ole Miss are expected to update their designations Thursday evening and again Friday, followed by a final game-day report 90 minutes before kickoff.

Any movement from doubtful to questionable or probable would be meaningful. If Leavitt remains doubtful Friday night, LSU fans should be prepared for Clark or Longstreet to take the first snap. If he moves to out, the uncertainty ends. Until then, the Tigers must build two game plans.

What This Means for LSU-Ole Miss

Leavitt has completed 41 of 66 passes for 574 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions through LSU's first two games. His passing numbers have been uneven, but his mobility has been essential: 135 rushing yards and five touchdowns have made him the Tigers' most important red-zone runner.

Removing that element would change how Ole Miss defends LSU. The Rebels could attack the line of scrimmage more aggressively, challenge a backup to complete throws into tight windows and increase the pressure on LSU's offensive line and running backs to keep the game on schedule.

The broader LSU-Ole Miss game preview already framed the matchup as the Tigers' first true road test. Leavitt's doubtful designation raises the degree of difficulty, but it does not decide the game Wednesday night. LSU still has multiple updates ahead and a full preparation window to adjust.

The factual bottom line is now more encouraging but still unsettled: Leavitt returned to the field Thursday, yet LSU still lists him as doubtful. Practice participation is evidence of progress, not proof that he can handle a complete SEC game plan or throw without limitation. LSU must continue preparing Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet until an official report changes Leavitt's status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sam Leavitt ruled out against Ole Miss?

No. LSU listed Sam Leavitt as doubtful on the initial SEC availability report, which means he is unlikely to play but has not been ruled out. His designation can change on later reports.

What is Sam Leavitt's injury?

LSU's official availability report does not identify a diagnosis or body part. Earlier media reports cited a sore throwing shoulder or upper-body issue, while WDSU reported that back spasms kept Leavitt out Wednesday. He participated in Thursday's practice or walkthrough but remains officially doubtful.

Who would start at quarterback for LSU if Leavitt cannot play?

Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet are LSU's primary backup options. Clark has completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown in 2026.

When is the next LSU-Ole Miss availability update?

LSU and Ole Miss are scheduled to update their SEC availability reports Thursday and Friday, with a final game-day report due 90 minutes before kickoff.

Sources

• Reuters / Field Level Media: LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt doubtful vs. Ole Miss.

• CBS Sports: Leavitt missed Wednesday throwing work and participated in Thursday's walkthrough.

• On3: Leavitt monitored with a sore throwing shoulder.

• Tiger Rag: LSU's initial availability report and TJ Dottery context.

• WDSU: Leavitt participated in Thursday practice after reported back spasms.