LSU running back John Emery will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL he sustained during practice last Tuesday.
The sixth-year senior had surgery last week to repair his knee and has started his rehabilitation process, according to LSU Tigers On SI.
Emery previously tore his ACL at the end of the 2023 season. After entering the NCAA Transfer Portal for his final year of eligibility, he chose to return to LSU, where he had rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries in the previous year.
“He’s faced this before and understands there’s more to life than football. We’ve worked to help our players build an identity beyond just the game.
Emery had rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries in LSU’s Week 1 loss and appeared ready to have a significant role for the Tigers in 2024.
The path has been challenging for Emery, who was a Top-15 recruit in the 2019 class. He had originally planned to transfer out of Baton Rouge after last season but decided to return for his final year of eligibility.
Throughout his career, Emery has accumulated 1,062 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, starting in five games and appearing in 37. His most productive seasons were in 2020 and 2022, with 75 and 76 carries respectively.
After tearing his ACL in late 2023 against the Florida Gators, Emery announced he would not return to LSU. Many thought he might retire or enter the NFL draft, but he rejoined the LSU roster for 2024.
With Emery out, LSU is left with three scholarship running backs: Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson, and true freshman Caden Durham. Freshman safety Ju’Juan Johnson also recently transitioned to running back.
