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Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks (40) defends in coverage against the Baylor Bears during the first half at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeat the Bears 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

LSU’s Defense Faces Setback as All-SEC Linebacker Officially Ruled Out Against Texas A&M

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ajayi Olamilekan | Last updated Oct 25, 2025 9:04 AM ET

The No. 20 LSU Tigers will be without junior linebacker Whit Weeks when they face third-ranked Texas A&M on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. Weeks earned first-team All-SEC honors last season, has officially been ruled out with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined against Vanderbilt a week ago.

This marks the second straight game Weeks will miss after the ankle problem surfaced during LSU’s 29-26 overtime loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 27. Coach Brian Kelly said this week that the Tigers lost considerable energy without Weeks in the lineup against the Commodores, where LSU fell 31-24 and gave up 399 total yards, including 239 on the ground.

The linebacker’s absence couldn’t come at a worse time for LSU’s defense, which must deal with Aggies offense averaging 464 yards and 36.1 points per game. Texas A&M enters the contest undefeated at 7-0 and brings a ground game that averages nearly 197 yards per contest. Pete Thamel of ESPN confirmed Weeks would miss Saturday’s game but noted the linebacker is expected back for LSU’s next matchup against fourth-ranked Alabama:

“LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (ankle) is officially out for the game against Texas A&M. He’s LSU’s star linebacker who was first-team All-SEC in 2024. He missed last week’s game against Vanderbilt.”

Source: LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (ankle) is officially out for the game against Texas A&M. He’s LSU’s star linebacker who was first-team All-SEC in 2024. He missed last week’s game against Vanderbilt. pic.twitter.com/cOPM18E4ef

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 24, 2025

Through six games this season, Weeks has 29 tackles with 13 solo stops, eight quarterback hurries, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Last year he led the Tigers with 125 tackles, finishing second in the SEC and ninth nationally.

LSU Must Find Answers at Linebacker Against Potent Aggies Offense

Kelly addressed Weeks’ absence on his Thursday night radio show, saying sophomore Davhon Keys and freshman Tylen Singleton will split time at linebacker. Keys had nine tackles against Vanderbilt, second-most on the team, while Singleton managed just one stop.

The two will have to grow up in Weeks’ absence. Keys showed something against Vanderbilt with his tackle numbers, but asking a sophomore to handle an expanded role against the third-ranked team in the country is asking a lot. Singleton got barely any snaps last weekend, and now he’s being counted on to contribute against an offense that averages over 30 points per game.

LSU sits at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play after dropping two of their last three games, making today’s match an important one because another home loss for the team would basically end any College Football Playoff talk with Alabama coming to town next week.

Weeks’ return timeline gives LSU at least some hope moving forward. Getting him back for Alabama would be huge for a defense that needs its best playmaker at linebacker. Until then, the Tigers have to figure out how to survive without him against two of the best teams in the country.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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