LSU Tigers QB Brennan Suffers “Severe” Left Arm Injury

LSU Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan suffered a "severe" left arm injury Monday that will require surgery. LSU head coach Ed Orgeron revealed the injury Monday afternoon. Brennan is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday.

“Myles Brennan suffered a severe injury that will require surgery,” Orgeron said. “His timeline is yet to be determined. Myles has done everything we have asked of him this summer and was in the fight to be the starting quarterback at LSU.”

Brennan is the incumbent starter for the LSU Tigers, though he is in a tight battle with sophomore Max Johnson for the role in 2021. Brennan began the season last year for LSU throwing for 1,112 yards, 11 touchdowns to three interceptions and completing 60% of his throws. LSU was 1-2 with the now-redshirt junior under center, defeating Vanderbilt and losing to Mississippi State and Missouri.

Following the Missouri game, which LSU lost on a heart-breaking goalline stand from Missouri, it was revealed Brennan would miss the remainder of the 2020 season with an abdomen injury. In his stead, the Tigers turned to freshmen talents, TJ Finley and Max Johnson. Finley transferred to Auburn this Summer while Johnson stayed to compete with Brennan.

With Johnson under center, the Tigers went 2-0 defeating Florida and Ole Miss. Johnson, the son of former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Brad Johnson, threw for 1,069 yards, eight touchdowns to one interception, and completed 59% of his passes in 2020.

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At SEC Media Days, Orgeron said he would announce the starting quarterback before the start of the season and said he felt confident with either player.

"Obviously, on offense, we've got a battle at quarterback. I think it's healthy for a football team. I believe in both quarterbacks," Orgeron said. "Myles Brennan and Max Johnson are two championship quarterbacks. Whoever wins is going to do a great job at LSU. It's going to be a tremendous battle, and we'll see what happens."

The Tigers begin its Fall training camp Thursday, Aug. 5, and without Brennan in the rotation for several more weeks, the quarterback job could fall into Johnson's lap. LSU kicks off the season on the road against UCLA in Pasadena, Calif. Saturday, Sept. 4.

Who the starting quarterback is when the Tigers roll into Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 6 may be determined by either Brennan's recovery timetable or Johnson's ability to continue his previous successes when he commands the offense. Neither player has much experience versus the Crimson Tide, though.

Brennan played in the waiting moments of the 2017 24-10 loss to Alabama his freshman year, tossing five passes, completing three for 18 yards. Johnson threw for 110 yards on 11-17 passing against Alabama last season after Finley and the Tigers began falling behind the Crimson Tide and ultimately lost 55-17.