Can LSU Beat Texas A&M without Their Key Left Tackle?
Heading into their Week Nine SEC matchup against Texas A&M, the LSU Tigers are facing more than just a ranked opponent, they’re dealing with a potentially game-changing loss. Starting left tackle Tyree Adams is expected to miss multiple games after suffering an ankle injury in LSU’s shocking 31–24 defeat to Vanderbilt. For a team already fighting to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive, losing one of its most important offensive linemen is a major setback. A former top 15 national recruit and now a redshirt sophomore, Adams stepped into the left tackle role this season after former starter Will Campbell left for the NFL. Adams’ absence raises questions among fans and analysts about whether LSU can regroup in time for their Week Nine matchup against the Aggies.
Why Tyree Adams Is Irreplaceable on the Field
Adams is not just a starting lineman, he is the cornerstone of LSU’s offensive line. He has appeared in 16 games across three seasons. He earned a starting role in 2025, protecting the blindside for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. His absence doesn’t just weaken one side of the line, it forces LSU to restructure protections, rely on less experienced linemen, and likely alter its play calling to get the ball out quicker. Expect the Aggies to dial up blitzes and overloads on the left side, knowing LSU will struggle to compensate. Without Adams, the Tigers not only lose talent. They lose stability, rhythm, and trust in one of the most important positions on the field.
Can LSU Survive Saturday without Him?
The LSU Tigers currently hold a 5-2 record, a familiar recurring theme since LSU has entered the Kelly era. The Tigers can’t afford another slip up if it hopes to remain in the playoff conversation or keep head coach Brian Kelly off the hot seat. This Saturday’s matchup against Texas A&M now looms even larger not just for the standings, but for the program’s identity. LSU’s inability to show up in big games has become a defining trait of the Brian Kelly era. The loss of Tyree Adams only amplifies those concerns, removing one of the team’s most reliable protectors and exposing a lack of depth in critical areas. If the Tigers can’t find a way to win without him, it will not just be Adams’ absence under scrutiny. The coaching staff’s preparedness, play calling, and long term leadership will be questioned as well and perhaps Kelly’s credibility will officially be on the line.
