LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is dealing with patellar tendinitis and not a major knee injury, Tigers coach Brian Kelly said Friday.

Kelly shot down speculation that Nussmeier had sustained a more serious injury at Wednesday’s practice.

“Just for the record, he has tendinitis. Patella tendinitis,” Kelly said Friday. “He does not have a torn ACL. We have not amputated his leg. … He was out there today throwing, tomorrow he’ll be back out, most likely in a practice situation. Thought I’d calm everybody down.”

Kelly said his starting quarterback’s injury ranks at 1.5 out of 10 in terms of severity.

“It’s not torn, there’s no fraying, there’s none of that,” Kelly said. “This is pre-existing. … There’s nothing to really see on film with it. … He aggravated it a little bit, but he’s good to go.”

Nussmeier, a fifth-year senior, passed for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games last season while leading the Southeastern Conference in attempts (525), completions (337) and interceptions (12).

He has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 5,772 yards with 40 TDs and 19 picks in 31 games since making his LSU debut in 2021.

The Tigers open the season at Clemson on Aug. 30.

–Field Level Media