LSU

Scott Van Pelt, 'Stanford' Steve question if LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. is actually injured

Erik Hall
Lafayette Daily Advertiser

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has not played since the LSU game vs. Central Michigan on Sept. 18. Prior to the Mississippi State game Sept. 25, he reaggravated a foot injury that he suffered during preseason practice. 

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron said Oct. 6 that Stingley underwent a procedure on his foot that will keep him out indefinitely. 

Stingley had eight tackles and one forced fumbles through the first three games of the season. 

"I'm doing all that I can to return to the field as soon as possible," Stingley said in a statement Oct. 6. "I want to finish out the season with my teammates and I will do everything I can to get healthy so that I will be able to play again this year." 

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, 'Stanford' Steve question Derek Stingley Jr. injury

Scott Van Pelt witnessed it as a first-time Gala attendee at the 16th Annual Dick Vitale Gala held at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Friday evening May 7, 2021.

He was a topic of discussion between ESPN broadcasters Scott Van Pelt and "Stanford" Steve Coughlin in Wednesday's "SVPod" podcast. 

Van Pelt and Coughlin talked about how Stingley and Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler were two of the college football players expected to benefit most from the NCAA's new policy on name, image and likeness. 

"Everybody knew who the two biggest names were in the NIL — and then Nick Saban made his comments about Bryce Young — you look at Stingley down at LSU and we look at Spencer Rattler," Coughlin said. 

Rattler was replaced as Oklahoma's quarterback in Saturday's game vs. Texas by Caleb Williams, and Williams facilitated OU's comeback win. 

Portrait of "Stanford" Steve Coughlin, left, and Chris "The Bear" Fallica on Aug. 21, 2018, in Bristol, Connecticut.

"I start to wonder: How long are these deals worth?" Coughlin said. "Because it can't be good pub if you're pushing a company, and you went from Heisman frontrunner to getting benched. And the other one with Stingley, I don't see him playing another game for LSU. And you talk about the hype he had." 

"Because he got injured," Van Pelt interjected. "Because he got injured, allegedly." 

"That's what they said," Coughlin said. "That's what they said." 

"People listening, you see Steve's reaction, it's like, 'Eh,'" Van Pelt said. "Well, I mean look that LSU thing's gone off the rails. Which in a fascinating way, you look at LSU's schedule, and it's like: Wow, is Ed Orgeron really going to go from — we won a title to they run him. Look at their schedule. It could happen."

Orgeron led LSU football to an undefeated season and national title in 2019. 

Here's more Derek Stingley Jr. news: 

The LSU football team is scheduled to face the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 16. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.