Sources: Ole Miss RB Lacy (shoulder) not expected to be out long term
The left shoulder injury that sidelined Ole Miss star running back Kewan Lacy during Saturday night's win over LSU is not expected to keep him out long term, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Kewan Lacy's injury news is a huge relief for Ole Miss fans, as the star running back's status was uncertain after leaving Saturday's game against LSU with a left shoulder injury. The fact that sources close to the program don't expect him to be out long term is a significant boost to the Rebels' offense, which has been clicking well this season. Lacy's ability to produce explosive plays and carry the load has been crucial to Ole Miss's success.
The timing of Lacy's injury couldn't have been worse, coming just as Ole Miss was gearing up for a crucial stretch of games. With the SEC West still up for grabs, the Rebels will need Lacy on the field to make a serious push for the division title. His absence, even if short-term, would have put more pressure on backup running backs to step up and fill the void. Now, with Lacy expected back soon, Ole Miss can breathe a sigh of relief and focus on getting him back up to speed.
What's next for Lacy and the Rebels is getting him back on the field and assessing his readiness for upcoming games. Ole Miss faces a tough test next week, and the coaching staff will need to balance caution with the need to get Lacy back into game shape. Keep an eye on Lacy's status in the lead-up to the next game, and monitor how the Rebels adjust their game plan to get him back involved.
Originally reported by espn.com. PlayerNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.