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LSU's Orgeron not expecting Arden Key to be ready for opener

Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

LSU may be without its star pass-rusher to start the season.

Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron revealed Thursday that he is not expecting Arden Key to be healthy enough to return from his shoulder injury in time for the season opener, though he stopped short of ruling him out entirely.

"Nah, I don’t think so," Orgeron said, according to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate. "I’m not sure, but I’m not expecting it. But nothing that dude does surprises me. He’s going to go to his doctor next week and we should know pretty soon when he’s going to play."

Key underwent shoulder surgery in May after setting an LSU record in 2016 with 12 sacks. The junior is practicing in a limited capacity, but is still not cleared for contact.

"He’s ahead of schedule. He’s doing some things," Orgeron added. "Today he’s taking on blocks, doing some things. I just don’t know when he’s going to be ready, what the doctors are going to say. He’s not hitting. He’s going through some walk-through stuff. Today he had his pads on. I’ve got to take him off drills, stepping through stuff, using his hands, reading his keys, does pass rush moves. But he’s not taking any contact."

The Tigers don't have an easy matchup for Week 1, with a date against BYU on a neutral field looming.

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