LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been battling a torso injury throughout the 2025 season, but recent developments suggest he may be turning a corner. Following a 20-10 victory over South Carolina, head coach Brian Kelly expressed optimism about Nussmeier’s health and performance, indicating that the quarterback is regaining his form as the season progresses.

During Monday’s press conference, Kelly highlighted the improved quality of Nussmeier’s throws in the recent win, attributing it to the quarterback’s recovery after a much-needed bye week.

“You know, all of those things are part of it, but the bottom line is he was healthy,” Kelly said, noting the contributions of the offensive line. He further elaborated on Nussmeier’s improved metrics, stating, “On Thursday, I mentioned to you that we have the ball that has the GPS in it, and his numbers were up from any other time during the week.”

Garrett Nussmeier gets injury update before Vandy game

Kelly also provided an encouraging update on Nussmeier’s abdominal injury, which has plagued him since the preseason. “His ab injury is on the right side of it where he feels good, and he didn’t feel any pain on Sunday coming in. So, that’s a really, really good sign for us moving forward,” Kelly said. However, he disclosed a new minor setback, revealing that Nussmeier sustained a slight medial ankle sprain during the South Carolina game. The coaching staff remains confident that this will not significantly impact his availability.

In the win against South Carolina, Nussmeier completed 20 of 33 passes (60.6%) for 254 yards, throwing two touchdowns but also two interceptions. This performance marked his second-highest passing yardage and touchdown total in a single game this season, though the interceptions tied for his highest in a game. Observers noted “a little bit more zip” in his throws, a positive sign given how the torso injury had previously limited his mechanics.

For the 2025 season, Nussmeier has recorded a passer rating of 134.0, completing 135 of 204 passes (66.2%) for 1,413 yards, with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions over 6 games. These numbers reflect a solid but inconsistent campaign, particularly when compared to his standout 2024 season, where he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Despite high expectations, Nussmeier’s performance has been hampered by injuries and a struggling LSU offense, contributing to a noticeable drop in his Heisman Trophy candidacy. Entering the season as a top contender with +800 odds (second only to Texas QB Arch Manning), his odds have slipped to +2000 following a series of uneven performances, including a 24-19 loss to Ole Miss where he managed 197 yards and one touchdown.

Kelly emphasized Nussmeier’s return to his natural playing style as a key factor in his recent improvement. “He plays with a swagger, and he’s better with a swagger, right. Don’t know that he had that the previous weeks, thought he was a little robotic and we said, listen, you need to be Garrett Nussmeier, and he was. Unfortunately, some of that comes with some mistakes…But I like the version of Garrett Nussmeier we saw. He was a lot more confident. He was a lot more active in the pocket…That’s the version we want,” Kelly said.

As LSU moves into the latter half of the 2025 season, Nussmeier’s health and confidence will be critical for the Tigers’ offensive success. With the torso injury showing signs of improvement and the ankle sprain deemed minor, there is hope that Nussmeier can recapture the form that made him a Heisman favorite and a projected first-round NFL draft pick at the start of the season.