Coach Kiffin says star wide receiver Tre Harris ‘would not be playing’ if LSU game were today
OXFORD, Miss. — At his Monday press conference, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin gave an update on wide receiver Tre Harris’ injury status, saying the talented player would not be able to play if the Rebels and LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC) were kicking off today.
Harris suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second quarter of the South Carolina game last Saturday, a 27-3 win for Ole Miss (5-1, 1-1).
“As you guys know, we don’t really get into much detail on that,” Kiffin explained Monday about injuries.
“You know, he couldn’t finish the first half (against the Gamecocks) and wasn’t really close to going back in the second half. So, he certainly would not be playing today. We’ve got to get the other guys ready. We’ve got to perform better than we did in the second half without him when we had three points…We only threw one pass in the fourth quarter. But that makes us move people in different spots when he’s out and so we’re preparing to do that and preparing to play without him.”
Lane Kiffin on Tre Harris
Harris is the top receiver in the country with 885 yards on 52 receptions. He’s scored five touchdowns and is averaging 147.5 yards per game.
He leads the SEC as well. After Harris’ 885 yards, the next-closest receiver in the league has 552 yards.
SEC Receiving Yard Leaders heading into Week 7 pic.twitter.com/TeuP7n964Z
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 7, 2024
With the very real possibility that Harris does not play against the Tigers Saturday, the Rebels are making plans to adjust. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins spoke Monday about the absence of Harris.
“Whenever we saw Tre go down, obviously, that’s a huge concern for us just because he’s such a good player. But I think us telling ourselves, as a receiver group, that now it’s time to really step up. Guys who maybe had not been in such a big role had to step up (against the Gamecocks) and make plays. Micah Davis went in there for a little bit…Just being able to step up and make plays.”
Jordan Watkins
Watkins, himself, adjusted when Harris went out, shifting to the outside as opposed to the slot.
“I think just when anybody that goes down, it is always just ‘next man up.’ Losing Tre that game (South Carolina) was really just concerning for us just because some guys who maybe have not played as much, like have to have next man up mentality. I think that’s just how we are as a team. If somebody goes down, it’s ‘next man up.’”
Jordan Watkins
With the mandatory injury reporting put in place by the Southeastern Conference this season, Ole Miss will release Harris’ status on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and then ninety minutes before kickoff on Saturday.
With the expanded 12-team college football playoffs, every game is important. Coach Kiffin and the Rebels will be working this week to get ready for a night game in Death Valley.
“Really big week for us…with preparation. We’re going to play a really talented, well-coached team in a really challenging place to play, always, especially at night. Our guys are excited for the challenge. Got a lot of work to do. A lot of things to improve upon.”
Lane Kiffin
Next Up
No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 10 LSU will kick off this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on ABC.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
