LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels briefly left the field during the SEC championship game against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday with a lower-body injury. Garrett Nussmeier has taken over for LSU in the second half.
Daniels was hobbled earlier in the game after taking a hit from the Bulldogs' vaunted defense, but not enough to exit. He could not stay in after Jalen Carter sacked him on LSU's penultimate offensive drive of the first half.
So, Jalen Carter lifted Jayden Daniels with one arm and threw up the No. 1 😂 pic.twitter.com/qJm4UgGw7V
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 3, 2022
Daniels left the field following the sack — Georgia's third of the game — and Nussmeier came in for one play, a long pass attempt on third-and-16. The ball fell incomplete, resulting in a punt for the No. 14 Tigers. Georgia scored a touchdown after taking possession, which allowed Daniels to return for the last drive.
MORE: LSU vs. Georgia live score, updates, highlights from 2022 SEC championship game
Daniels limping heavily, completed all five of his passes for 51 yards and drove LSU close enough for Damian Ramos to convert a 42-yard field goal. The kick cut Georgia's lead to 35-10 at the half. Daniels was heading toward the locker room as Ramos attempted the field goal.
Shortly after that, LSU coach Brian Kelly said he "didn't know" what his team's quarterback situation would be in the second half:
"I don't know. He came out, obviously gritty, fought through it on that drive," Kelly said on the CBS telecast. "Led us to a field goal. He's a tough kid, he wants to play, so he's out there competing."
MORE: Georgia blocked FG return: Explaining rule that led to Bulldogs TD vs. LSU in SEC title game
It's worth noting that Daniels suffered an ankle injury late in LSU's loss to Texas A&M in the Tigers' regular-season finale and entered Saturday's game with both ankles taped.
LSU football in their early pregame, of note, Jayden Daniels ankles are taped pretty well, I don't remember seeing that in prior games.
— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) December 3, 2022
As stated earlier, I did not see Josh Williams warm up, did see Noah Cain and you can see John Emery in street clothes here early. #LSU #SECCG pic.twitter.com/nDlI8HsVhd
Prior to Saturday, he had completed 26 of 42 passes (61.9 percent) for 333 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. For his career, Nussmeier has completed 55 of 99 passes (55.6 percent) for 662 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
