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Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, who is dealing with a turf toe injury, has been downgraded to doubtful and is not expected to play on Saturday against LSU, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The sophomore was listed as questionable on Wednesday and Thursday before his status changed Friday.
Taylor sustained the injury during the Bulldogs’ September 26 win over Missouri and continued playing through the pain in the team’s October 3 loss to Alabama. He eventually left the 56-23 defeat in the fourth quarter and was later seen wearing a boot on his right foot.
Through five games, Taylor has completed 102 of 154 passes, recording 1,450 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed 43 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. His performances had placed him among the Heisman Trophy contenders before Mississippi State suffered its first loss of the season.
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If Taylor cannot play, the Bulldogs are expected to start true freshman Parker “Billy” Puckett. The backup quarterback completed three of six passes for 26 yards after entering against the Crimson Tide. Across the season, Puckett has completed eight of 14 attempts for 89 yards and rushed twice for 24 yards. Redshirt freshman Puckett is listed as the No. 2 quarterback, while fifth-year senior AJ Swann and former Florida quarterback Jaden Rashada provide additional options.
Mississippi State could also be without its leading running back, Fluff Bothwell, who was downgraded to doubtful on Friday because of a lower-body injury. Bothwell has racked up 403 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries, making his potential absence another concern for the Bulldogs’ offense.
The matchup carries considerable implications for both teams. No. 16 Mississippi State enters at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, while No. 22 Tigers are also 4-2 but holds a 1-2 conference record.
Kickoff is scheduled for for 12 p.m. ET in Baton Rouge, with ESPN broadcasting the game.
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