Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor’s status for Saturday’s game at LSU remains uncertain after suffering a foot injury during the Bulldogs’ 56-23 loss to Alabama on Oct. 3. Taylor was seen on the sideline dealing with the injury late in that game and later wore a boot on his right foot, per CBS Sports.
No. 16 Mississippi State is set to face No. 22 LSU in Death Valley this weekend. Taylor, a sophomore, has been the primary reason for the Bulldogs’ 4-1 start to the season.
What The Team Has Said About Taylor’s Status
Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby declined to clarify Taylor’s availability at his Oct. 12 news conference, pointing reporters toward the SEC‘s Wednesday injury report instead, according to Sports Illustrated. No official designation such as questionable, doubtful or out has been issued.
Taylor exited the Alabama game in the fourth quarter after playing through the apparent injury. Mississippi State turned the ball over four times in that loss.
Backup Options If Taylor Cannot Play
Parker Puckett replaced Taylor in relief during the Alabama game. Puckett was an unheralded and unranked recruit from the 2025 signing class who had been part of the scout team before getting that opportunity.
AJ Swann, a senior who previously played at Appalachian State, remained on the sideline when Puckett entered, despite being the player Lebby recruited specifically to provide a veteran presence in the quarterback room. Swann has 24 career games and 18 career starts between Vanderbilt and Appalachian State, with 32 touchdown passes and more than 4,200 yards of experience. He started six games as a first-year player at Vanderbilt in 2022, started there again in 2023, and backed up Garrett Nussmeier at LSU before transferring to Appalachian State, where he threw for 1,495 yards and 10 touchdowns before an injury ended his season. Jaden Rashada, a former top-50 recruit, is also on the Mississippi State quarterback roster.
Any backup pressed into duty would face a hostile road environment at LSU and would need to avoid giving a dangerous opponent extra possessions, a factor Sports Illustrated noted given LSU’s offense.
Taylor’s Season Numbers
Taylor has completed 66.2% of his passes for 1,450 yards and leads the SEC with 17 touchdown passes. He has added 159 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown and has thrown at least three touchdown passes in every game this season.
What’s Next
LSU enters Saturday’s matchup at 4-2 after losing 35-34 in overtime at Kentucky. The SEC’s official injury report is expected Wednesday, which should bring clarity on Taylor’s availability for the trip to Death Valley.
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