Brian Kelly Declares Numerous Defenders Out For Alabama Game

The LSU Tigers enjoyed an off week last week but still have numerous holes on defense entering the Alabama game.

The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide football team hosts the No. 13 LSU Tigers football team in Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday in what will be the marquee matchup of the weekend in the Southeastern Conference.

Both programs enjoyed off weekends this past week to prepare and get healthy for the upcoming matchup. 

LSU head coach Brian Kelly met with the media on Monday morning and provided a grim look at his Tigers defense ahead of this weekend's game.

According to Kelly starting defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo had surgery on a nagging lower-body injury and will miss at least six weeks of action.

Additionally, Kelly announced starting cornerback Zy Alexander was unavailable this week due to injury and will likely miss extended time. That's not the only secondary issue the Bayou Bengals face as transfers Denver Harris and Duce Chestnut are still not practicing with the team as Kelly referred to them as "unavailable".

Kelly slammed the door shut when asked if Harris or Chestnut could be available by the end of the week.

"They are not playing," said Kelly.

The Tigers will turn to converted safety Sage Ryan and Laterrance Welch to start at corner, with freshmen Ashton Stamps, Jeremiah Hughes and Javien Toviano also seeing some rotational action.

LSU will have Maason Smith anchoring the defensive line and he'll depend on Jordan Jefferson and Jacobian Guillory to replace Wingo's production. 

The Tigers defense has allowed 395 yards per game, good for 88th nationally, and is also 88th in passing yards allowed per game with 238.5. Their stats are a bit skewed by holding Grambling, Army and Auburn to 157, 42 and 154 passing yards in their contests.

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