Lane Kiffin reveals how Trey’Dez Green became Sam Leavitt’s comfort zone before LSU faced another injury setback

Lane Kiffin has admitted that losing Trey’Dez Green took away Sam Leavitt’s most trusted option at LSU. Green has missed time with an injury, leaving Leavitt to build new connections in the passing game. The quarterback then played through a hamstring injury in LSU’s 35-6 win over Texas A&M, but still threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Kiffin said Green had been Leavitt’s “comfort zone.”Lane Kiffin explains Sam Leavitt’s lost comfort zoneGreen was hurt during LSU’s 32-24 loss to Ole Miss on September 19. Before that, the 6-foot-7 tight end had become one of Leavitt’s most reliable targets. He had 14 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown through three games, giving the new LSU quarterback a player he could turn to when a play became difficult.Kiffin explained the connection on The Lane Kiffin Show. “TDZ really was the quarterback’s comfort zone,” he said. The LSU coach added that Leavitt often looked for Green on big third downs and made quick, in-rhythm throws to him.That absence was clear against Texas A&M, but LSU found other answers. Jackson Harris had six catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard score. Winston Watkins Jr. also finished with five catches for 107 yards. LSU’s official game report confirmed those numbers after the Tigers improved to 3-1.The bigger surprise was Leavitt’s performance. After hurting his right hamstring while running, he could not rely on his legs in the same way. Instead, he stayed in the pocket and attacked through the air. The official LSU report lists him at 17-of-23 passing for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.For Kiffin, Harris and Watkins stepping up matters because Green’s absence changes how Leavitt reads key downs. LSU now needs that production to continue.Sam Leavitt injury adds to LSU’s growing concernsKiffin said he was preparing to remove Leavitt from the game after the injury became worse, but the quarterback refused to leave. “He was going to play through it,” Kiffin said, according to LSU coverage of his postgame comments.The injury also created a strange benefit. Louisiana Sports reported that Kiffin joked the hamstring issue may have helped Leavitt because he knew he could not escape the pocket and therefore had to throw on time. That approach worked against Texas A&M, although LSU now has to decide how much it wants to use its starting quarterback against McNeese State.The Tigers have already lost several important players. Safety Dashawn Spears is out for the season with an ACL injury, while wide receiver Phillip Wright III is also out for the year. Linebacker Whit Weeks suffered a serious leg injury against Texas A&M, adding to the pressure on LSU’s depth.LSU hosts McNeese State on October 3 before traveling to Kentucky on October 10. Kiffin has not committed to resting Leavitt, but Louisiana Sports reported that the coach was considering how to handle key players after the recent injuries.Green’s absence remains a separate problem for the offense. LSU needs other receivers and tight ends to keep giving Leavitt reliable targets while he waits to get his most trusted option back.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.